The Wagner Group has halted its advance on Moscow, according to CNN. The leader of the group, Evgeny Prigozhin, stated that their mission was to disband the private military company, PMC Wagner, and they had not shed any blood during their march. The group began leaving the city of Rostov-on-Don, which they had been occupying since the mutiny began.
Belarus played a role in defusing the situation, with President Alexander Lukashenko brokering a deal with Prigozhin. The agreement involved dropping criminal charges against Prigozhin and guaranteeing the safety of the Wagner Group’s fighters in exchange for them halting their march on Moscow. President Vladimir Putin expressed support and gratitude to Lukashenko for his efforts.
There were initial reports that Lukashenko had fled to Turkey, but these have been proven unfounded. Similarly, reports that Putin had fled Moscow also lack evidence. Despite the resolution of the crisis, there are still questions about the future of Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov, as Prigozhin had demanded their surrender to the Wagner Group.
The US Intelligence Community had been monitoring signs of a potential mutiny within the Wagner Group for about two weeks. Concerns were raised about the possibility of Russia’s nuclear arsenal falling into the wrong hands if the situation worsened. However, Russian officials claim that the incident has only strengthened the nation’s resolve and unity. They warn Western countries against attempting to use internal dissension to harm Russia.
Many Western observers have a different view on the situation. The Telegraph argues that Putin has lost his monopoly on violence and suffered a “catastrophic humiliation.” The Wall Street Journal believes that Prigozhin’s revelations about Russia’s failures in the war against Ukraine have opened the door for more dissatisfaction. The New York Post compares this coup attempt to the failed one against Gorbachev in 1991, where Gorbachev emerged weakened. Slate draws a similar conclusion, stating that Putin’s rule has been shaken.
Despite reaching out to sympathetic governments, Putin received a tepid response. Most governments dismissed the attempted coup as purely a Russian internal matter. Meanwhile, Ukraine has resumed its offensive against Russian forces, making gradual progress in key areas.
In conclusion, the Wagner Group’s march on Moscow has been halted, thanks to the efforts of Belarus’s President Lukashenko. The resolution of the crisis has left many questioning the future of Putin’s rule, while Western observers see it as a significant blow to his power. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its offensive against Russian forces.