Rostov am Don/Voronezh, Russia, June 25 (Reuters) – A group of heavily armed Russian mercenaries known as the Wagner Group are in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, following an agreement to stop the rapid advance on Moscow. withdrew from the city. The rebellion is over, but questions remain about President Vladimir Putin’s staying in power.
Following an agreement brokered by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Wagner fighters returned to their base and secured security. Their leader, Evgeny Prigozhin, is going to emigrate to Belarus.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has suggested that the unrest in Russia is far from over and could continue for months. Italy’s Foreign Minister has commented on the collapse of the “myth” of Russian unity.
Since the detente agreement was signed, Putin has not issued any official statements.
In a television interview published on Sunday, Putin stressed that he is prioritizing the Ukraine conflict. But the interview was taped before the mutiny and made no mention of Saturday’s events.
Putin will reportedly attend a meeting of the Russian Security Council next week, but no further details were given. Prigozhin, 62, was seen leaving the Rostov District Military Headquarters on Saturday evening. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and ex-convict, led the army in the bloodiest battle of the 16-month-long Ukraine war. He argued that the decision to march on Moscow was aimed at removing the corrupt and incompetent Russian commander responsible for misdirecting the war.
Russia’s unrest has caused concern among Western leaders because Russia has the world’s largest nuclear arsenal. Mr Brinken said that in the coming weeks and months, new issues surrounding Putin’s leadership will need to be addressed. He also reiterated the U.S. commitment to defending Ukraine and helping Russia regain its occupied territories.
China, Putin’s key ally, initially did not comment publicly on the situation. However, after meeting with a senior Russian diplomat, China finally expressed its support for Russia’s efforts to maintain domestic stability.
Wagner mercenaries captured Rostov-on-Don, a key logistical hub for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, they advanced rapidly several hundred miles north, breaking through barricades using tanks and armored vehicles in what Prigozhin called a “march for justice.” A withdrawal deal was reached before further escalation occurred.
A video purportedly showing the mercenaries leaving Rostov in a convoy of armored vehicles, tanks and buses amid cheers, “Wagner” shouts and gun salutes from locals has gone viral on social media. The exact date of the video remains unknown.
In a country that has become increasingly intolerant of public criticism of Putin and his rule, Wagner’s brief support for the rebellion is notable. In Rostov, residents expressed relief and said they were relieved that no armed clashes broke out. But they recognized the serious problems facing the country that needed to be addressed.
There were few signs of increased security in Moscow on Sunday. Some people in the city expressed some understanding of Mr. Prigogine’s position and emphasized the importance of listening to those who influence society.
To stabilize the situation, Monday was declared a holiday in the Russian capital. The agreement, negotiated on Saturday, included the dropping of criminal charges against Prigozhin for an armed rebellion, the transfer of him to Belarus, and the denial of Wagner extremists who joined his cause because of his past service in Russia. This includes taking no action against Lukashenko, who has been personally acquainted with Prigozhin for almost 20 years, offered to mediate the deal with Putin’s consent.
Putin said in a televised address on Saturday that the riots posed a threat to the public.
