Riga, Latvia: According to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, was in Russia on Thursday (Friday AEST), raising further questions about the murky agreement that allowed Prigozhin to avoid insurgency charges following a failed rebellion that challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority.
The Kremlin had announced the agreement on June 24, stating that Prigozhin and his loyal fighters could evade prosecution by relocating to Belarus. Russian authorities promptly dismantled Wagner’s operations and the rest of Prigozhin’s extensive business empire.
However, on Thursday, twelve days after Prigozhin abruptly turned his columns of fighters back towards Moscow, Lukashenko revealed that the mercenary boss had returned to his hometown of St Petersburg and may have flown to Moscow on Thursday morning. Lukashenko stated that the final details of Prigozhin and his fighters’ move to Belarus had yet to be settled.
The presence of Prigozhin in Russia was confirmed by a St Petersburg businessman who disclosed that the Wagner boss had returned to retrieve money and weapons seized by the Russian security services.
Despite the dropped insurgency charges, Prigozhin may still face new criminal cases if Putin fears appearing weak in the face of criticism in Russia. Putin, without directly mentioning Prigozhin, has raised concerns about financial crimes related to the contracts between Prigozhin’s businesses and the government.
Prigozhin seems to maintain leverage in Russia, given Wagner’s reputation as one of Russia’s most effective assault forces in Ukraine and his connections in high places. He appears to be moving around St Petersburg and potentially Moscow without fear of arrest, even after being labeled a traitor and supposedly exiled.
Officials in Moscow are grappling with how to replace Wagner, both in Ukraine and its operations in Africa, where the group has extended Russia’s influence through security contracts with several governments.
The details and implications of the agreement, as well as Prigozhin’s fate and Wagner’s future, remain uncertain, even to top Russian officials. Lukashenko stated that while Prigozhin is currently “a free man,” the final decision on Wagner’s relocation to Belarus is subject to Putin’s determination.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on Prigozhin’s whereabouts, stating that they do not track his movements. Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik political consultancy, suggested that the Kremlin is allowing Prigozhin time in Russia to deal with his business operations, many of which directly serve Russian state interests.
The dropped insurgency charges against Prigozhin have been seen by many as a sign of Putin’s weakness, as previously timid Russian elites have not shown signs of confrontation. Discontent with Putin’s handling of the rebellion and the subsequent agreement has spread in the mainstream pro-Kremlin press.
The ongoing negotiations and questions about Prigozhin’s whereabouts have deepened the unease among Russia’s elite. Lukashenko acknowledged the close relationship between Putin and Prigozhin and emphasized the power of the Wagner Private Military Company.
While the situation is still unclear, Lukashenko stated that Wagner would not be used to attack Ukraine from Belarus but could defend his country if necessary.
* Please note that the information provided is sourced from various agencies.