In a surprising turn of events, the military coup in Russia, spearheaded by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, abruptly halted following the emergence of a deal brokered between Moscow and the Wagner mercenary group. The agreement, facilitated by Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarus president and a close ally of Vladimir Putin, resulted in Prigozhin’s decision to depart for Belarus and the dropping of charges against him and his fighters. While details regarding the specifics of the deal remain scant, some speculate that it goes beyond the publicized conditions.
Prigozhin’s forces made significant advancements on Saturday, invading Rostov-on-Don, and were on a trajectory to reach Moscow within 24 hours. However, Prigozhin announced the withdrawal of his troops, citing concerns over the potential loss of Russian lives. His forces then proceeded through Lipetsk, further away from the capital. As part of the deal, the criminal case opened against Prigozhin for his rebellion will be dropped, offering him legal immunity. Additionally, the Wagner fighters who participated in the coup attempt will not face any repercussions.
Notably, Prigozhin made a demand for the removal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, although the Kremlin has not officially addressed this demand. Observers closely monitoring the situation in the Kremlin express skepticism that these conditions constitute the entirety of the deal. Richard Engel, a correspondent for NBC News, voiced his doubts on Twitter, suggesting that Prigozhin may retain his influence over his extensive African empire and continue to operate his illicit activities from abroad.
He hints at the presence of murky mafia-style politics that may not have fully played out yet. Amidst the tension, a notable incident occurred as Wagner troops neared Moscow. One of the planes frequently used by Putin departed from the capital at 2:15 PM local time. Reports indicated that the aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 150 kilometers away from Putin’s official residence, less than half an hour later.
The Kremlin swiftly denied any notion of Putin fleeing Moscow, dismissing the reports as baseless. The unfolding events surrounding the coup and the subsequent deal brokered between Moscow and the Wagner group have left many questions unanswered. The true extent of the agreement and its potential implications, including Prigozhin’s future and the underlying dynamics of power at play, continue to captivate both domestic and international observers. As the situation develops, further insights into the enigmatic political landscape in Russia are anticipated.