President of Belarus Confirms Wagner Chief Prigozhin’s Presence in Russia Following Mutiny

According to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, is currently in St. Petersburg along with his troops who remain stationed at their previous camps. Lukashenko, who played a role in brokering a deal to end Prigozhin’s rebellion on June 24, stated that the agreement granted amnesty, security guarantees, and permission to relocate to Belarus for Prigozhin and his soldiers. However, specific details regarding the arrangement have not been disclosed, leaving the whereabouts and future of the Wagner chief and his private army uncertain. The Kremlin has declined to comment on Prigozhin’s location and movements since the failed revolt.

Last week, Lukashenko initially stated that Prigozhin was in Belarus, but he now confirms that the mercenary leader is in St. Petersburg, while Wagner’s troops remain at their camps. Although the exact location of these camps was not specified, it is known that Prigozhin’s mercenaries previously fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine before their mutiny. Lukashenko revealed that his government offered the use of Belarusian military camps to Wagner, a private military contractor founded by Prigozhin, but the company has not made a final decision.

When asked if Prigozhin and his mercenaries would relocate to Belarus, Lukashenko responded ambiguously, indicating that the decision would depend on the Wagner chief and the Russian government. He expressed his belief that Wagner’s presence in Belarus would not destabilize his country.

During the brief mutiny, the Wagner fighters swiftly captured the military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don before advancing towards Moscow. Prigozhin referred to this as a “march of justice” aimed at removing the Russian defense minister and the General Staff chief from power. The rebellion, which posed the most significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his over two-decade-long rule, exposed the Kremlin’s vulnerabilities and undermined Putin’s authority.

The Wagner fighters encountered minimal resistance during their revolt, easily overcoming sporadic roadblocks and successfully downing at least six helicopters and a command post aircraft, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 airmen.

Lukashenko’s recent statement aligns with reports from Russian media, which claimed that Prigozhin was spotted in St. Petersburg, where he was concluding his affairs as part of the agreed-upon arrangements. These reports suggested that Prigozhin had retrieved confiscated cash and a small arsenal of weapons that he had kept at his St. Petersburg residence. Furthermore, a Russian online newspaper, Fontanka, published videos and photos of Prigozhin’s luxurious mansion, along with personal items such as a collection of wigs of various colors. The publication also featured selfies of Prigozhin posing in different wigs and foreign uniforms, reflecting Wagner’s involvement in Syria and various African countries.

Lukashenko revealed that he had warned Prigozhin that failure to reach a resolution to end the mutiny would result in their destruction, and Belarus would send a brigade to aid in protecting Moscow. He argued that the rebellion had the potential to lead to significant bloodshed and plunge Russia into a civil war. Lukashenko emphasized the necessity of quashing the revolt in its early stages, emphasizing the danger it posed based on historical precedents.

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