In an unexpected twist, the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, claimed that the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a recent mutiny against the Kremlin, is now in Russia. However, this claim cannot be independently verified, and the Kremlin has refused to comment on Prigozhin’s whereabouts. Recent reports from Russian media suggest that Prigozhin was seen at his offices in St. Petersburg. It remains unclear whether Prigozhin’s presence in Russia violates the agreement that allowed him to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and granting amnesty to him and his troops.
This development raises questions about whether the threat posed by Prigozhin has been fully neutralized and whether the Kremlin is treading cautiously until it determines what to do with any remaining loyal troops. President Vladimir Putin has given Wagner troops the option to join the Russian military, retire from service, or relocate to Belarus. The details of the agreement brokered by Lukashenko remain vague.
While Lukashenko previously stated that Prigozhin was in Belarus, he now alleges that the mercenary leader is in St. Petersburg and may also travel to Moscow at his discretion, while his troops remain in their camps. The exact location of these camps is undisclosed, but it is known that Prigozhin’s mercenaries fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and have bases in Russia. Lukashenko also mentioned that Prigozhin has been given back confiscated cash and weapons by Russian authorities.
When asked about Prigozhin’s whereabouts, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, stating that the Kremlin does not possess the means or desire to monitor his movements. Nevertheless, Peskov affirmed that the agreement reached to end the mutiny involved Prigozhin’s relocation to Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed that his government offered Wagner the use of Belarusian military camps, but the company has yet to make a final decision on this matter. The Kremlin has maintained that the deal with Prigozhin was necessary to prevent extensive bloodshed and downplayed the issue of his escape from punishment compared to other Putin critics who have faced severe penalties.
Recent reports from Russian online newspapers revealed images of Prigozhin’s opulent mansion in St. Petersburg, showcasing stacks of cash and gold bullion. These images, along with a photo of decapitated heads and an oversized souvenir sledgehammer associated with Wagner’s violent reputation, were likely released in an attempt to tarnish Prigozhin’s image. The media also shared selfies of Prigozhin wearing various disguises and military uniforms, reflecting Wagner’s involvement in Syria and Africa.
Regarding the potential relocation of Prigozhin and his mercenaries to Belarus, Lukashenko evasively stated that it depends on the decisions made by Prigozhin and the Russian government. He expressed confidence that their presence in Belarus would not destabilize the country, emphasizing that any Wagner troops would need to sign a contract with Belarusian authorities specifying the conditions and limitations of their actions.
Belarusian political analyst Valery Karbalevich suggested that Lukashenko may feel uneasy about Wagner’s presence on Belarusian soil, fearing a repeat of the mutiny that targeted Moscow. Lukashenko dismissed suggestions that the mercenaries could launch attacks on Ukraine from Belarus, emphasizing that Russia had previously used Belarus as a staging ground for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The abortive rebellion led by Prigozhin’s mercenaries posed a significant threat to Putin, exposing his vulnerabilities and weakening the Kremlin’s authority. It remains unclear whether Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov have retained Putin’s support following their disappearance during the mutiny.
Lukashenko revealed that he warned Prigozhin of the potentially disastrous consequences if a swift resolution to the mutiny was not reached. Lukashenko even offered to send a brigade from Belarus to help protect Moscow. He emphasized the necessity of nipping the rebellion in the bud to avoid a dangerous situation.
Regarding the deployment of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Lukashenko stated that they are intended to deter aggression against the country. Both Putin and Lukashenko have confirmed that some of these weapons have already been moved to Belarus. Lukashenko reiterated that any use of these weapons would require consultation with the Belarusian government and would only be in response to aggression by NATO against Belarus or Russia.
Lukashenko highlighted the strictly defensive nature of these weapons, stating that they would only be used in self-defense. He concluded by urging others not to provoke Belarus, assuring that the country would never resort to using these lethal weapons.
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