Russian Mercenary Commander Reaches Deal with Kremlin After Failed Uprising

Rebellious Mercenary Commander Reaches Deal with Kremlin, Fizzling Out Putin’s Greatest Challenge

In a surprising turn of events, the greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s more than two decades in power has fizzled out. The rebellious mercenary commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who ordered his troops to march on Moscow, abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat.

The brief revolt, however, exposed vulnerabilities among Russian government forces. Wagner Group soldiers, under Prigozhin’s command, were able to move unimpeded into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advance hundreds of kilometers towards Moscow. The Russian military scrambled to defend the capital.

Under the deal announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prigozhin will go to neighboring Belarus, which has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Charges against him of mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped. The government also stated that it would not prosecute Wagner fighters who took part in the revolt, while those who did not join in would be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry. Prigozhin ordered his troops back to their field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian regular soldiers.

Putin had previously vowed to punish those behind the armed uprising led by his onetime protege. In a televised speech to the nation, he called the rebellion a “betrayal” and “treason.” However, in allowing Prigozhin and his forces to go free, Putin’s “highest goal” was “to avoid bloodshed and internal confrontation with unpredictable results,” according to Peskov.

Some observers believe that Putin’s strongman image has taken a hit. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, John Herbst, stated on CNN that “Putin has been diminished for all time by this affair.”

Moscow had prepared for the arrival of the Wagner forces by erecting checkpoints with armored vehicles and troops on the city’s southern edge. Russian troops armed with machine guns put up checkpoints on Moscow’s southern outskirts, and crews dug up sections of highways to slow the march. However, Wagner troops advanced to just 200 kilometers from Moscow before the retreat was announced.

Prigozhin had demanded the ouster of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom he has long criticized for his conduct of the war in Ukraine. If Putin were to agree to Shoigu’s ouster, it could be politically damaging for the president after he branded Prigozhin a backstabbing traitor.

The U.S. had intelligence that Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time, conflicting with Prigozhin’s claim that his rebellion was a response to an attack on his camps in Ukraine by the Russian military.

The rebellion exposed weaknesses in the Kremlin and raised hopes among Ukrainians that it could create opportunities for their army to take back territory seized by Russian forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the march exposed weakness in the Kremlin and “showed all Russian bandits, mercenaries, oligarchs” that it is easy to capture Russian cities “and, probably, arsenals.”

Wagner troops have played a crucial role in the Ukraine war, capturing the eastern city of Bakhmut, where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. However, Prigozhin has increasingly criticized the military brass, accusing them of incompetence and starving his troops of munitions.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former convict with longstanding ties to Putin, has won lucrative Kremlin catering contracts, earning him the nickname “Putin’s chef.” He and a dozen other Russian nationals were charged in the United States with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election victory. Wagner has also sent military contractors to Libya, Syria, several African countries, and eventually Ukraine.

While the revolt may have been quelled for now, its impact on Putin’s position and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains to be seen.

What are the potential long-term implications of Prigozhin’s exile and his possible attempt to regroup and challenge Putin’s authority again in the future

Moscow before the deal was reached.

The events leading up to the rebellion remain murky. The Wagner Group, a private military company headed by Prigozhin, has gained notoriety for its involvement in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries. Some experts believe that Prigozhin’s ambitions grew beyond serving as a Kremlin loyalist, leading to the audacious move to challenge Putin’s authority.

Prigozhin and his forces were able to exploit weaknesses within the Russian military apparatus. The fact that Wagner fighters could make their way to Rostov-on-Don and advance so close to Moscow without encountering significant resistance raises questions about the effectiveness of Russia’s defense systems.

The deal struck between Prigozhin and the Kremlin is seen as a strategic move to avoid further escalation and potential violence. By allowing Prigozhin and his forces to retreat, Putin aims to prevent internal conflict and maintain stability within the country. However, critics argue that this decision undermines Putin’s image as a strong and decisive leader.

The situation has also raised concerns about the role of private military companies and the extent of their power. The Wagner Group, operating outside the established military structure, was able to launch a challenge against the Russian government. This incident may prompt further scrutiny and regulation of private military actors in the future.

As Prigozhin heads to neighboring Belarus, a country known for its support of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, questions remain about the long-term implications of this revolt. It is uncertain whether Prigozhin’s exile will be permanent or if he will attempt to regroup and challenge Putin’s authority again in the future.

Overall, while Putin may have successfully resolved this immediate challenge, the events surrounding the rebellion have exposed vulnerabilities within Russia’s defense systems and raised questions about the extent of his control. This incident serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly secure regimes can face internal threats, and that no leader is completely immune to challenges to their power.