After a tragic night of Russian missile strikes that resulted in the loss of three lives in Kyiv apartment buildings, one would expect the atmosphere to be somber the following Saturday. Air-raid alerts, beginning over two hours before the city’s midnight curfew on Friday, continued until nearly 6 a.m., with cellphones blaring sirens. However, amidst this turmoil, a significant event unfolded in Russia itself that would have far-reaching consequences. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, a mercenary organization responsible for the recent killings in Ukraine, captured the military supply-hub Rostov and embarked on a march towards Moscow. This march posed the most significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule since he assumed power in 2000.
Upon my arrival in the nearby town of Irpin, which had been severely affected by the invasion on February 24, 2022, I met with former Mayor Volodymyr Karpliuk and expressed my relief, saying, “Good news from Russia.” He responded with a resounding “Yes,” a wide smile illuminating his face. Olha Hushchyna, the translator accompanying me, pondered, “Perhaps this will bring an end to the war in our territory. He must take his soldiers back to Russia.” Olha’s husband has been a prisoner of war in Russia for eight years, and their daughter was only two years old when he was taken.
A photo exhibit in the Irpin church, overlooking a mass grave of 1,500 bodies, displayed some of the most horrific atrocities committed by the Russians during this invasion. This display served as a reminder of the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Ukrainian people. Many Ukrainians shared the hope that the turn of events in Russia would bring relief and an end to the ongoing conflict.
Visiting the devastated areas of Irpin and Bucha was a harrowing experience. The photo exhibit in the Irpin church, showcasing the mass grave, highlighted the brutal extent of Russian atrocities during the invasion. The Wagner Group’s attack on Russia has garnered significant attention. This private military contractor, previously fighting for the Kremlin in Ukraine, has reportedly crossed the border and launched a resurgence in Russia. The group is demanding the removal of the nation’s defense minister, posing a grave threat to President Putin’s authority.
The owner and founder of the mercenary organization, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is calling for an armed rebellion and has threatened to storm Moscow to remove the minister who allegedly ordered the bombing of his war camps in Ukraine. Members of Congress have criticized Prigozhin, labeling him a “would-be strongman,” and some even argue that this “bloodthirsty” mercenary is potentially more dangerous than Putin himself. The fact that Putin’s presidential plane left Moscow early Saturday has sparked rumors of his fleeing the Russian capital as the Wagner Group’s forces advance towards the city. The president’s aircraft was detected flying northwest from Moscow to the St. Petersburg area but disappeared from the system near the city of Tver, close to Putin’s rural retreat.
The atmosphere in Russia was mixed as regional leaders gathered to discuss this game-changing news. Inal Sherip, a filmmaker based in Belgium and the foreign minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria’s government-in-exile, expressed his satisfaction while referencing “The Godfather,” saying, “We’ve waited a long time for revenge.” As the iconic film character would say, “Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold.”
Sherip and I initially had a delay in meeting his group for lunch in Kyiv due to a search by Ukrainian police. However, during our off-the-record lunch, we engaged in a discussion about the Shakespearean nature of Putin’s crisis. Akhmed Zakayev, the Chechen prime minister in exile and a former Shakespearean actor, mentioned that invading Ukraine was a colossal mistake that would ultimately lead to the end of Putin’s regime. Despite the ongoing negotiations between Prigozhin and Putin, Zakayev had already predicted that Putin would no longer hold power in a few months, likely in September, October, or maybe November.
As I strolled through the streets of Kyiv on Saturday night, I noticed young people leaving bars, their energy undeterred by the day’s momentous events. They seemed to harbor a sentiment that “Russia is a circus,” reflecting their disillusionment and perception of the current situation. It was a thought-provoking sight.
Kelly Jane Torrance is The Post’s op-ed editor.
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