According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, will be allowed to go to Belarus, as guaranteed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Peskov stated that the criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped, and the authorities will not pursue other Wagner members involved in the rebellion due to their frontline contributions. Those Wagner fighters who did not participate in the armed uprising have the option to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry.

Peskov expressed appreciation for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s mediation efforts, while emphasizing that the “special military operation” in Ukraine will continue.

Reports from Russian state media indicate that all tanks, heavy equipment, and Wagner fighters have vacated the area near the headquarters of the Southern Military District.

The recent events unfolded when Wagner accused Russian forces of attacking their fighters, prompting their entry from Ukraine into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. In response, the Federal Security Service initiated a criminal case against them for armed rebellion, with Putin condemning their actions as “treason.”

Initially, Prigozhin declared that his fighters would proceed to Moscow, leading the Kremlin to enhance security measures in various regions. However, Prigozhin later stated that his fighters decided to turn back, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) away from Moscow, in order to avoid bloodshed. Belarusian President Lukashenko claimed to have held talks with Prigozhin, with Putin’s approval and asserted that an agreement for de-escalation was reached.

Source: With Agencies