Vladimir Putin's emotions were made very obvious when Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner warriors began their uprising approximately two months ago. He used words like "treachery" and "stab in the back" to describe what had happened to Russia. He gave his word that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Therefore, there was skepticism prevalent in Russia despite the fact that they were not. When a compromise was struck between Mr. Prigozhin and the Kremlin to put a stop to the mutiny; when all of the accusations against the Wagner founder and his warriors were dropped, despite the fact that Russian servicemen had been murdered during the cloudy but brief revolt.
It gave the impression that President Putin was incapable.
One Russian publication made the following observation in response to the agreement that had been reached (putting an end to the mutiny in exchange for protection from prosecution): "This kind of compromise is normally made with political opponents." Never again will I associate with terrorists and criminals. Does this imply that we should start thinking of Mr. Prigozhin as a political figure now?
Suddenly, things take on a quite new appearance.
After exactly two months, Mr. Prigozhin is still missing and thought dead following the crash and explosion of his private jet in a field. Dmitry Utkin, leader of the Wagner crew, was also on the same jet.
There won't be much mourning among Russia's upper class over the reported death of Mr. Prigozhin. Also included in this category is the leadership of Russia's armed forces, which Mr. Prigozhin had denounced in an open and audible manner and urged be removed from their positions. The leader of Wagner said that the so-called "March of Justice" (his euphemism for the uprising) had not been meant at the Kremlin but rather had been directed at Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. He used this as his euphemism for the uprising.
In point of fact, the Wagner mutiny was a direct challenge to the authority of President Putin, and it was a humiliating 24 hours for the Kremlin. Mr. Putin himself brought up the fact that the Russian state had been funding Wagner's productions. It was quite evident that money could not buy loyalty.
If this was an act of vengeance carried out by those in power, then it sends two very clear messages to those who are loyal to Mr. Prigozhin as well as to anyone else in Russia who may have been considering violent resistance:
Try not to.
Take a look at what befalls those who do it.
This indicates that President Putin may emerge from these high-stakes events in a stronger position within the country.
But what if Mr. Prigozhin sacrifices himself for the cause? What would happen if those individuals who had previously promised their fealty to him, and who are seasoned combatants, called for their own acts of vengeance?
A Telegram channel called Grey Zone, which is connected to Wagner, stated that "Russian traitors" were to responsible for Mr. Prigozhin's alleged death.
It did not elaborate on who it considered those traitors to be or what retribution Wagner would have given to them.
Many people in Russia won't be surprised if it turns out that someone was behind this catastrophe intentionally. Since the uprising, there has been nonstop speculation on Mr. Prigozhin's future, specifically with the question of whether or not his crimes would be forgiven.
He had to have been aware of that. In spite of this, it was abundantly evident that he did not consider flying to be dangerous as he flew around in his private plane during the past few weeks. It's possible that he thought he was too influential and important a figure in today's Russia for him to be removed from office.
Therefore, there was skepticism prevalent in Russia despite the fact that they were not. When a compromise was struck between Mr. Prigozhin and the Kremlin to put a stop to the mutiny; when all of the accusations against the Wagner founder and his warriors were dropped, despite the fact that Russian servicemen had been murdered during the cloudy but brief revolt.
It gave the impression that President Putin was incapable.
One Russian publication made the following observation in response to the agreement that had been reached (putting an end to the mutiny in exchange for protection from prosecution): "This kind of compromise is normally made with political opponents." Never again will I associate with terrorists and criminals. Does this imply that we should start thinking of Mr. Prigozhin as a political figure now?
Suddenly, things take on a quite new appearance.
After exactly two months, Mr. Prigozhin is still missing and thought dead following the crash and explosion of his private jet in a field. Dmitry Utkin, leader of the Wagner crew, was also on the same jet.
There won't be much mourning among Russia's upper class over the reported death of Mr. Prigozhin. Also included in this category is the leadership of Russia's armed forces, which Mr. Prigozhin had denounced in an open and audible manner and urged be removed from their positions. The leader of Wagner said that the so-called "March of Justice" (his euphemism for the uprising) had not been meant at the Kremlin but rather had been directed at Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. He used this as his euphemism for the uprising.
In point of fact, the Wagner mutiny was a direct challenge to the authority of President Putin, and it was a humiliating 24 hours for the Kremlin. Mr. Putin himself brought up the fact that the Russian state had been funding Wagner's productions. It was quite evident that money could not buy loyalty.
If this was an act of vengeance carried out by those in power, then it sends two very clear messages to those who are loyal to Mr. Prigozhin as well as to anyone else in Russia who may have been considering violent resistance:
Try not to.
Take a look at what befalls those who do it.
This indicates that President Putin may emerge from these high-stakes events in a stronger position within the country.
But what if Mr. Prigozhin sacrifices himself for the cause? What would happen if those individuals who had previously promised their fealty to him, and who are seasoned combatants, called for their own acts of vengeance?
A Telegram channel called Grey Zone, which is connected to Wagner, stated that "Russian traitors" were to responsible for Mr. Prigozhin's alleged death.
It did not elaborate on who it considered those traitors to be or what retribution Wagner would have given to them.
Many people in Russia won't be surprised if it turns out that someone was behind this catastrophe intentionally. Since the uprising, there has been nonstop speculation on Mr. Prigozhin's future, specifically with the question of whether or not his crimes would be forgiven.
He had to have been aware of that. In spite of this, it was abundantly evident that he did not consider flying to be dangerous as he flew around in his private plane during the past few weeks. It's possible that he thought he was too influential and important a figure in today's Russia for him to be removed from office.
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