On June 27th there was an event involving a military group paid by Russia, known as the Wagner Group. Initially, tensions arose between the Wagner Group and Russia’s military leaders, resulting in a temporary rebellion and an announced threat to attack Russia.
However, by the following day, an agreement was reached and the two sides decided to cooperate once again. This unexpected rebellion has had a shocking effect on Russia and has further weakened President Vladimir Putin’s position.
When President Putin initiated the war on Ukraine in February 2022, he primarily relied on Russia’s own soldiers. However, he soon enlisted the support of the Wagner Group, a company led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has a history of close association with Putin. The Wagner Group, consisting of tens of thousands of professional soldiers, was utilized by Putin for tasks that he preferred not to assign to Russian soldiers. In addition to Ukraine, Wagner’s mercenaries have been involved in conflicts in various parts of the world, including civil wars in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali.
Although Wagner’s soldiers have played a significant role in the Ukrainian battles, tensions between Prigozhin and Russia’s military, which operates under Putin’s authority, intensified over time. The military leaders of Russia were unhappy with a business figure wielding significant power. Prigozhin strongly criticized the actions of Russia’s military leaders.
Recently, a new rule was implemented by Putin on June 24th, requiring Wagner’s soldiers to join Russia’s regular army, which Prigozhin opposed as it would result in him losing control over his forces. On a Friday, Prigozhin accused Russia’s military of attacking Wagner’s soldiers and called for a “march for justice.” As a response, he redirected 25,000 of Wagner’s soldiers from Ukraine back to Russia, where they took control of the city of Rostov-on-Don and its military bases.
On Saturday, Prigozhin demanded the removal of Russia’s top two military leaders, threatening to march on Moscow with Wagner’s forces. President Putin promptly reacted, accusing Wagner’s soldiers of treason and rebellion, and promising severe punishments for all involved. Despite Russia’s attempts to impede their progress by damaging key infrastructure, Wagner’s soldiers advanced to within 120 miles (200 kilometers) of Moscow.
However, a deal was brokered by Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, on Saturday night. The agreement stipulated that Wagner’s soldiers would return to Ukraine and would not be punished, and that they would not face any punishment. However, Mr. Prigozhin agreed to live in Belarus.
While it appears that Prigozhin has lost some power as a result of the deal exiling him to Belarus, the events have also exposed Putin’s vulnerability. As the long-standing leader of Russia, Putin was previously seen as unchallengeable. This short-lived rebellion,, his forgiveness toward those who attacked him, and his reliance on an external leader to help resolve the situation demonstrate his struggle for control.
However, by the following day, an agreement was reached and the two sides decided to cooperate once again. This unexpected rebellion has had a shocking effect on Russia and has further weakened President Vladimir Putin’s position.
When President Putin initiated the war on Ukraine in February 2022, he primarily relied on Russia’s own soldiers. However, he soon enlisted the support of the Wagner Group, a company led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has a history of close association with Putin. The Wagner Group, consisting of tens of thousands of professional soldiers, was utilized by Putin for tasks that he preferred not to assign to Russian soldiers. In addition to Ukraine, Wagner’s mercenaries have been involved in conflicts in various parts of the world, including civil wars in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali.
Although Wagner’s soldiers have played a significant role in the Ukrainian battles, tensions between Prigozhin and Russia’s military, which operates under Putin’s authority, intensified over time. The military leaders of Russia were unhappy with a business figure wielding significant power. Prigozhin strongly criticized the actions of Russia’s military leaders.
Recently, a new rule was implemented by Putin on June 24th, requiring Wagner’s soldiers to join Russia’s regular army, which Prigozhin opposed as it would result in him losing control over his forces. On a Friday, Prigozhin accused Russia’s military of attacking Wagner’s soldiers and called for a “march for justice.” As a response, he redirected 25,000 of Wagner’s soldiers from Ukraine back to Russia, where they took control of the city of Rostov-on-Don and its military bases.
On Saturday, Prigozhin demanded the removal of Russia’s top two military leaders, threatening to march on Moscow with Wagner’s forces. President Putin promptly reacted, accusing Wagner’s soldiers of treason and rebellion, and promising severe punishments for all involved. Despite Russia’s attempts to impede their progress by damaging key infrastructure, Wagner’s soldiers advanced to within 120 miles (200 kilometers) of Moscow.
However, a deal was brokered by Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, on Saturday night. The agreement stipulated that Wagner’s soldiers would return to Ukraine and would not be punished, and that they would not face any punishment. However, Mr. Prigozhin agreed to live in Belarus.
While it appears that Prigozhin has lost some power as a result of the deal exiling him to Belarus, the events have also exposed Putin’s vulnerability. As the long-standing leader of Russia, Putin was previously seen as unchallengeable. This short-lived rebellion,, his forgiveness toward those who attacked him, and his reliance on an external leader to help resolve the situation demonstrate his struggle for control.
