Mediation
Lukashenko mediated between the Kremlin and Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the magnate behind the Wagner group. Several media clarified that Putin endorsed his intervention.
A deal with Prigozhin![]()
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nThe Belarussian leader managed to get Prigozhin to agree to stop his operation. In exchange, Russian authorities dropped all charges against the mercenaries
Calling off the march to Moscow
After the deal, Prigozhin announced that his forces had stopped advancing towards Moscow, where they planned to confront Putin’s Defense Minister.
Months-long feud![]()
A months-long feud between Prigozhin and Putin’s military leaders had erupted in an open confrontation between the two parties on June 23.
Investigation
On June 23, the Russian authorities opened an investigation against Prigozhin for organizing an “armed rebellion” after the Wagner leader accused the military of attacking their group in social media posts as collected by The New York Times.
Retaliation![]()
The mercenary leader announced there would be retaliation. By the following day, the group had claimed control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, next to the Ukraine border, and was heading toward Moscow.
Consequences
Putin announced severe consequences for the leaders of the operation. “They will suffer inevitable punishment,” he said while accusing them of “betrayal,” as collected by The Washington Post.
Citizens warned to stay home![]()
In the meantime, the country started preparing for the consequences of an armed dispute: the mayors of cities along the highway to Moscow advised their citizens to stay home.
Moscow
The mayor of Moscow asked the citizens not to go to work on Monday, to stay home, and to increase security. Social media videos also showed how authorities placed roadblocks in the capital.
Prigozhin’s criticism of Putin had increased![]()
Prigozhin’s group has played a pivotal role in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, but in the past weeks, the leader has become increasingly critical of the country’s military leadership.
Supplies issues
According to the BBC, the conflict started over the military’s failure to provide supply kits, arms, and ammunition. Other media have reported Prigozhin’s complaints of indifference to soldiers’ lives and corruption among Russia’s higher military ranks.
March of justice![]()
Prigozhin denied the accusations of a military coup or “armed rebellion.” The mercenary tycoon called it a “march for justice,” said the British outlet.
Unexpected
The rising was unexpected. A European security official told the Washington Post that many analysts followed the dispute between Wagner’s owner and the military but believed an armed rebellion was unlikely.
Escalating events![]()
But the escalation of events led to real threat of the stability of the Kremlin’s leadership. As the Wagner group approached Moscow, opposition leaders called on those who are against Putin to rise in arms.
Opposition to Putin
According to the New York Times, Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, a Russian businessman who has sought to unite groups opposing Putin, called on those against Russia’s president to arm themselves.
Opportunity to get Putin out![]()
On his Telegram channel, he called Prigozhin a “war criminal” and clarified he is not an ally but said this “is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to fight Putin’s power, explained the newspaper.
Beyond Russian borders
The Washington Post reported similar behavior among the opposition to the Russian-friendly leadership in Belarus. The newspaper said a group of Belarusian armed civilians who helped the Ukrainian military urged others to prepare for an uprising.
Rostov-on-Don![]()
The deal stopped those possibilities, as the mercenaries started leaving Rostov-on-Don, the southern city they occupied, and the Russian government offered military roles to Wagner mercenaries.
A real threat
Several media are qualifying the episode as the most significant threat to Putin’s leadership since he first took power in 1999. It also came in the middle of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
Prigozhin flees![]()
