Wagner Chief Halts Mercenary March on Moscow, Agrees to Exile in Belarus

Image Credit: Google

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner private military company, has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow to prevent bloodshed and has agreed to live in exile in Belarus.

This development marks the end of one of the biggest challenges to President Vladimir Putin's rule, as Prigozhin's rebellion appeared to gain momentum.

Decision to Prevent Bloodshed:

Prigozhin made the decision to turn back his troops, who were just 200km away from Moscow, to avoid potential casualties.

In an audio message, he stated that the march of justice, which began on June 23, could have resulted in bloodshed.

Understanding the responsibility, Prigozhin chose to redirect the columns of mercenaries to their planned field camps.

Moscow's Preparations and Negotiations with Belarus:

Moscow took precautionary measures by erecting checkpoints with armored vehicles and troops on its southern edge, shutting down Red Square, and urging motorists to avoid certain roads.

Meanwhile, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko played a crucial role in negotiating with Prigozhin to stop the troop movement, following discussions with Putin.

Image Credit: Google, Al-Jazeera

Settlement and Exile in Belarus:

Lukashenko's office confirmed that Prigozhin accepted the offer to halt the advance of the Wagner group and agreed to further de-escalation steps.

The proposed settlement includes security guarantees for the Wagner troops.

As part of the deal, Prigozhin will move to neighboring Belarus, and the criminal case against him will be closed.

The troops who participated in the uprising will not face prosecution, while those who did not will be offered contracts by the defense ministry.

Uncertainty and Political Transition:

Experts express uncertainty about the future and the potential consequences of the incident.

Russian defense analyst Pavel Felgenhauer emphasizes the need to observe how the situation unfolds and the concessions made by each party involved.

Anna Matveeva from the Russia Institute at King's College London sees this event as the opening chapter in Russia's political transition, signaling more developments to come.

Possible Scenarios and Putin's Response:

The outcome of the crisis could have various implications.

If Prigozhin's demand to remove Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu is met, it would significantly weaken Putin's authority and position Prigozhin as a winner.

Alternatively, if Prigozhin have agreed not to press the demand, Putin could reward him with lucrative government contracts.

However, backtracking on branding Prigozhin a traitor would be politically damaging for Putin.

Some speculate that Prigozhin might put the Wagner Group under federal authority or redirect its activities back to Africa.

Putin's Response and Security Measures:

Putin addressed the nation, condemning the rebellion as a betrayal and treason.

He assured that those involved in the uprising would face inevitable punishment.

A "counterterrorist regime" was declared in Moscow and its surrounding region, leading to enhanced security measures and restrictions on movement.

Troops set up checkpoints and deployed heavy weaponry on the southern outskirts.

International Perspective and Ukrainian President's Remarks:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the Wagner troops' rebellion, highlighting the chaos it exposed in Russia.

He emphasized that Russia's control was crumbling, leading to unpredictability and devastation.

Zelenskyy urged Putin to withdraw troops from Ukrainian land, warning of the consequences they would bring to Russia.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)