Russian Mercenary Leader of Wagner Group to Move to Belarus Following Rebellious March Against Putin

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In a significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s authority, the leader of the rebellious Russian mercenary group, Wagner Group, who ordered his troops to march on Moscow before abruptly changing course, will relocate to neighboring Belarus and avoid prosecution, according to the Kremlin’s announcement on Saturday. The move is part of a deal aimed at defusing the crisis.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Yevgeny Prigozhin, who faced charges of orchestrating an armed rebellion, will have the charges dropped, and his troops who participated in the uprising will not be prosecuted. Additionally, the fighters from the Wagner Group who did not take part in the rebellion will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry.

President Putin had previously vowed to punish those responsible for the armed uprising led by his former protégé, which involved seizing a crucial military facility in southern Russia and advancing towards the capital. In a televised address to the nation, Putin condemned the rebellion as an act of “betrayal” and “treason.”

The decision to release Prigozhin and his forces was made to avoid bloodshed and internal conflict with unpredictable consequences, as stated by Peskov. In anticipation of the Wagner forces’ arrival, Moscow had set up checkpoints with armored vehicles and troops on the southern outskirts of the city. Red Square was closed, and motorists were advised to avoid certain roads.

However, following the agreement, Prigozhin announced that despite his troops being only 200 kilometers away from Moscow, he had chosen to retreat to prevent further loss of Russian lives. His forces were ordered back to their field camps in Ukraine, where they had been fighting alongside regular Russian soldiers.

Prigozhin has demanded the removal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom he has vehemently criticized for his handling of the war in Ukraine. On Friday, Prigozhin accused forces under Shoigu’s command of attacking Wagner camps and causing the deaths of numerous comrades.

It remains unclear whether the Kremlin has addressed Prigozhin’s demand. Peskov stated that this issue could not have been discussed during the negotiations led by the president of Belarus and falls under the “exclusive prerogative of the commander in chief.”

If Putin were to agree to Shoigu’s dismissal, it could have political ramifications for the president, given that he had previously labeled Prigozhin as a treacherous betrayer.

In the early hours of Saturday, Prigozhin’s private army appeared to have taken control of the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city located 660 miles south of Moscow and responsible for Russian operations in Ukraine, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.

A nighttime video from Rostov-on-Don, shared on Russian messaging app channels, depicted people cheering as Wagner troops left the city. Prigozhin was seen in one of the vehicles, greeted by people who approached to shake his hand as he lowered the window. The regional governor later confirmed that all troops had departed from the city.

Wagner troops and equipment were also reported in Lipetsk province, situated approximately 225 miles south of Moscow.

Following the developments, Moscow authorities declared a “counterterrorist regime” in the city and surrounding regions, imposing enhanced security measures and restrictions on movement. Checkpoints were set up on the southern outskirts, fortified with sandbags and machine guns. Sections of highways were dug up to impede the march.

As part of the increased security measures, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin declared Monday a non-working day for most residents, a measure that remained in effect even after the retreat.

These dramatic events unfolded exactly 16 months after Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, millions displaced, and cities reduced to ruins.

Ukrainians hoped that the internal discord within Russia would provide an opportunity for their army to reclaim territories seized by Russian forces.

Ben Barry, a senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggested that despite the agreement, Putin’s position has likely been weakened. He added that these events would offer considerable comfort to the Ukrainian government and military.

Late on Saturday, just before Prigozhin announced his retreat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the march had exposed weaknesses in the Kremlin and demonstrated how Russian cities and arsenals could be easily captured by “bandits, mercenaries, and oligarchs.”

In his daily video address, Zelenskyy, switching to Russian, noted that “the man from the Kremlin” was “very afraid.” He reiterated his call for Western nations to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.

Previously, Prigozhin had vowed that his fighters, estimated at 25,000, would not surrender, expressing their determination to prevent the perpetuation of corruption, deceit, and bureaucracy in their homeland. In an audio message on his Telegram channel, he disputed the president’s allegations of betraying the motherland, asserting their patriotism.

Prigozhin posted a video from the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, claiming that his forces had seized control of the airfield and other military facilities in the city without any casualties or shots fired.

However, Russian media outlets reported that Wagner troops had downed several helicopters and a military communications plane. When questioned about these losses, the Kremlin referred inquiries to the Defense Ministry, which has not commented on the matter.

The short-lived rebellion has the potential to hinder Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine as Ukrainian forces initiate a counteroffensive, probing Russian defenses.

Orysia Lutsevych, the head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank in London, highlighted the possibility of confusion and divisions among Russian military forces due to the internal conflict. She stated that Russian troops in Ukraine may find themselves operating without clear military instructions and uncertainty about whom to follow. This situation could create a unique and unprecedented military advantage for the Ukrainian army.

Western countries closely monitored the unfolding events. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions with his counterparts from other G7 nations and the European Union’s foreign affairs representative, reiterating the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine.

Latvia and Estonia, both NATO countries sharing borders with Russia, announced increased security measures at their frontiers.

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Note: The original text has been extensively revised for clarity, conciseness, and improved readability.

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