In a significant development, the Kremlin has announced that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization, will relocate to Belarus and have criminal charges against him dismissed. This decision comes after Prigozhin ordered his troops, who were advancing towards Moscow, to turn back, expressing his desire to prevent the shedding of Russian blood.
Prigozhin, in an audio message, instructed his fighters, who had come within 120 miles of Moscow, to return to their bases. He emphasized the importance of avoiding bloodshed and stated that the columns would retreat according to plan.
The Kremlin’s statement assures that all charges against Prigozhin will be dropped, and none of the Wagner Group fighters will face prosecution. While it confirmed Prigozhin’s move to Belarus, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Earlier, the Russian president accused Prigozhin of treason and leading an “armed mutiny” against the country’s defense minister, denouncing it as a betrayal to the soldiers and people of Russia. However, Prigozhin maintained that he and his fighters were patriots and denied any act of betrayal.
The crisis unfolded as Prigozhin claimed that his troops had reached Rostov-on-Don after crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border, seizing control of strategic sites, including the airfield. The Wagner Group was also reported to have taken over defense facilities in Voronezh, located south of Moscow.
Putin, in a televised address, condemned the rebellion as an attempt to subvert Russia from within and pledged to defend the nation. He highlighted the need for unity and stated that those involved in the armed rebellion would be held accountable for their actions.
The situation remains fluid as the repercussions of this development continue to unfold.
