Russian Mercenary Commander Retreats from Moscow in Deal with Belarus

Head of Russian Private Military Company Wagner to Move to Belarus in Deal to Defuse Rebellion Tensions

The head of the private Russian military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, will be moving to neighboring Belarus as part of a deal to defuse rebellion tensions, the Kremlin announced on Saturday. The criminal case against Prigozhin will also be closed, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Prigozhin’s troops who joined him in the uprising will not face prosecution, while those who did not will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry.

Following the deal, Prigozhin ordered his troops to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian troops. The agreement appears to have defused a dramatically escalating crisis that posed the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.

The deal was mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch Putin ally. The rebellion led by Prigozhin, who brought his forces out of Ukraine, seized a key military facility in southern Russia, and advanced toward Moscow, had prompted Putin to vow harsh consequences for the organizers.

The situation in Moscow had become tense, with checkpoints and troops set up on the city’s southern edge, and Red Square shut down. However, Prigozhin’s decision to turn his troops back and avoid “shedding Russian blood” has seemingly averted a violent confrontation.

The details of the deal and any concessions made by Putin to Prigozhin are not immediately clear. If Prigozhin’s demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is met, it would be a major blow to Putin’s authority. On the other hand, if Prigozhin drops that demand, Putin could reward him with more lucrative government contracts.

The rebellion and subsequent deal have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian infighting has created opportunities for the Ukrainian army to potentially regain territory seized by Russian forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the events exposed weakness in the Kremlin and called for the West to supply Ukraine with fighter jets and tactical ballistic missiles.

The situation in Moscow prompted authorities to declare a “counterterrorist regime” in the city and its surrounding region, enhancing security measures and restricting movement. However, with the crisis seemingly defused, the heightened security measures may be lifted.

The rebellion led by Prigozhin has highlighted divisions within the Russian military and could potentially create confusion and division among Russian forces operating in Ukraine. The confrontation is likely to hinder Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine as Kyiv’s forces launch a counteroffensive.

The deal mediated by Lukashenko represents a diplomatic success for Belarus, which has been facing its own political crisis and international condemnation for its handling of protests and human rights abuses. The country’s president has managed to defuse tensions between Russia and its own ally, while also securing a resolution to the rebellion.Head of Russian Private Military Company Wagner Moves to Belarus in Deal to Defuse Rebellion Tensions

In a surprising turn of events, the head of the private Russian military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, will be relocating to neighboring Belarus as part of a deal to ease tensions surrounding the recent rebellion. The Kremlin announced on Saturday that the criminal case against Prigozhin will be closed, and his troops who participated in the uprising will not face prosecution.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, those Wagner troops who did not participate in the rebellion will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry. This move aims to integrate them back into the military structure and prevent further unrest.

Following the agreement, Prigozhin himself declared that he was ordering his troops to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian forces. This decision marks a significant de-escalation of the crisis, which posed a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s authority.

The deal was mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin. The specifics of the settlement, including security guarantees for Wagner troops, were not disclosed.

The rebellion led by Prigozhin and his private army had caused great concern in Moscow, prompting the erection of checkpoints and increased security measures in the city. However, Prigozhin’s decision to retreat and avoid “shedding Russian blood” has brought some relief to the tense situation.

President Putin had previously vowed severe consequences for the organizers of the armed uprising, referring to it as a “betrayal” and “treason.” The resolution of the crisis raises questions about the concessions made by Putin to Prigozhin, particularly regarding the demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

While the retreat of Wagner troops and the closure of the criminal case against Prigozhin may defuse immediate tensions, the long-term implications remain uncertain. Observers speculate that Prigozhin may make concessions such as placing the Wagner Group under federal authority or redirecting their activities to Africa, where they have been active in recent years.

The developments in Russia have also caught the attention of Western countries, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirming support for Ukraine and increased security measures being implemented by NATO countries bordering Russia.

The situation in Ukraine, where Russian forces have been engaged in a conflict for over 16 months, may be further complicated by the infighting within the Russian military. Orysia Lutsevych, the head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank, suggests that the confusion and potential division among Russian troops could create a unique opportunity for the Ukrainian army.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will closely monitor the developments and their impact on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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How does Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion and the divisions it has exposed within the Russian military hinder Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine

E not immediately revealed. However, it is speculated that Prigozhin’s demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu may have been a major point of contention in the negotiations.

The resolution of the rebellion and the potential withdrawal of Wagner troops have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It could create opportunities for the Ukrainian army to regain control of territory seized by Russian forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Western support in the form of fighter jets and tactical ballistic missiles, viewing the Russian infighting as an opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s position.

The situation in Moscow had become tense, with heightened security measures and restrictions on movement. However, with the crisis seemingly defused, these measures may be lifted in due course. The rebellion led by Prigozhin has also exposed divisions within the Russian military and could hinder Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine as Kyiv’s forces launch a counteroffensive.

The deal mediated by Lukashenko is seen as a diplomatic success for Belarus, which has been facing its own political crisis and international condemnation for human rights abuses. Lukashenko has managed to defuse tensions between Russia and his own ally while securing a resolution to the rebellion, showcasing his diplomatic skills.

Overall, the move of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the resolution of the rebellion highlight the complexities and power dynamics in the Russian military structure and its impact on regional conflicts. The full repercussions of these events are yet to be seen, but they undoubtedly have significant implications for the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the stability of the region.