Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner Group, has reportedly relocated to Belarus, where he will now reside after orchestrating an armed rebellion that posed a significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, reported that Prigozhin’s business jet landed near Minsk early Tuesday. The Russian authorities have dropped criminal charges against Prigozhin and his fighters, stating that they have ceased their criminal activities. This information comes from the New York Times. As part of a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin will be exiled to prevent his forces from advancing on Moscow. Additionally, the Wagner Group will transfer military equipment to the Russian Army.
The Associated Press highlights the contrasting treatment of Prigozhin, who managed to escape prosecution, with those involved in anti-government protests in Russia, who have received lengthy prison sentences. In a recent speech, Putin commended the work of the Wagner fighters and expressed gratitude towards those who abandoned the rebellion, thereby avoiding significant bloodshed. Putin assured the fighters that they could go to Belarus, return to their families, or sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. According to the Times, Putin is keen to retain the fighters, as they have played a crucial role in Russian operations in Ukraine and are needed to counter a potential Ukrainian offensive.
It remains uncertain whether Prigozhin will be able to maintain control over the fighters in Belarus. Putin has declared that all private armies fighting for Russia in Ukraine must be under the supervision of the Defense Ministry. However, it appears that Prigozhin’s goal of undermining Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will not be realized in the immediate future. State news broadcasts showcased Shoigu meeting with Putin and other defense and security chiefs, a sign of trust in his leadership. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated the progress made by Ukrainian forces amid the chaos. (Read more Wagner Group stories.)
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