On June 23rd, a mercenary outfit named the Wagner Group attempted to take control of Moscow in a stunning rebellion. In his 23 years in power, this was the first of such threats to Vladimir Putin’s rule.
The Wagner group is helmed by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Founded in 2014, it has functioned as a private military company. CEO Prigozhin had connections with President Putin and his company greatly benefited from this. The Wagner mercenaries have been fighting on behalf of Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In recent months, tensions have been rising between Russian military leaders and the Wagner Group. The military leadership has been unhappy with Prigozhin’s interference in the battle with Ukraine. Prigozhin has been openly critical of the Russian military.
In June, in an attempt to curb Prigozhin’s power, Russia passed a rule requiring the Wagner soldiers to integrate into the Russian military. This led to a rebellion by the private army, orchestrated by Prigozhin. A group of soldiers began marching from Ukraine towards Moscow on June 23rd. They soon took control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
President Putin made a televised address to his country on Saturday. He called the events “acts of treason.” He also said, “This is a stab in the back of our country and our people.”
This is the first instance since Putin came to power that his absolute control over Russia has been threatened. The long term impact on the instability of the region remains to be seen. One cannot deny the fact that these events made Putin look weak. This was a shocking turn of events for a ruler who had, even until recently, seemed invincible.
The Wagner group is helmed by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Founded in 2014, it has functioned as a private military company. CEO Prigozhin had connections with President Putin and his company greatly benefited from this. The Wagner mercenaries have been fighting on behalf of Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In recent months, tensions have been rising between Russian military leaders and the Wagner Group. The military leadership has been unhappy with Prigozhin’s interference in the battle with Ukraine. Prigozhin has been openly critical of the Russian military.
In June, in an attempt to curb Prigozhin’s power, Russia passed a rule requiring the Wagner soldiers to integrate into the Russian military. This led to a rebellion by the private army, orchestrated by Prigozhin. A group of soldiers began marching from Ukraine towards Moscow on June 23rd. They soon took control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
President Putin made a televised address to his country on Saturday. He called the events “acts of treason.” He also said, “This is a stab in the back of our country and our people.”
This is the first instance since Putin came to power that his absolute control over Russia has been threatened. The long term impact on the instability of the region remains to be seen. One cannot deny the fact that these events made Putin look weak. This was a shocking turn of events for a ruler who had, even until recently, seemed invincible.
