Russia: After Marching Toward Moscow and a Potential Coup Attempt, Mercenary Wagner Group Abruptly Turns Around
Based on many examples of unfortunate accidents which have befallen Russian President Putin’s rivals, few people on earth may now face greater near-term risks in day-to-day life than Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group who briefly led 25,000 troops into Russia.
Prigozhin’s goal was possibly a protest against incompetent military leadership in Russia, and it may very well have been a coup attempt. The Wagner’s chief’s actions represented the greatest challenge to President Putin in his two decades in power.
After about a 24-hour march which reportedly brought his supporters within 120 miles of Moscow, Prigozhin abruptly decided to turn around to avoid “shedding Russian blood.” Presumably, he received an offer or assurances from Putin which he decided to accept.
No details on what that bargain included have been released.
Prigozhin is a Russian oligarch who earned his fortune through the favor of Mr. Putin. He was dubbed “Putin’s chef” from the numerous government catering contracts his company was awarded. Considered quite savvy in social media, Prigozhin was one of 13 Russians indicted by a U.S. Federal grand jury in 2018 for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, according to The New York Times.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Wagner mercenary group’s rebellion was the ease with which the group captured Russia’s military headquarters in Rostov — reportedly without firing a shot. This could only have occurred if Russia’s regular military were sympathetic to Prigozhin’s cause. Rostov, just 60 miles from Ukraine’s border, is the largest city in southern Russia. It is a command center for prosecuting the war in Ukraine and is therefore a key logistical hub for Russia’s military.
Make no mistake though: neither the takeover of Rostov nor Prigozhin’s march northward –which encountered very little resistance throughout — stopped Russia from attacking Ukraine. According to NBC News, missiles are still being fired on Ukraine.
Information for this story was found via Reuters, the Washington Post, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
