One thing is clear. Russia does not know what to do about its at least temporarily suspended revolutionary, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Kremlin's uncertainty follows a stunning weekend in which Prigozhin's Wagner Group mercenary force charged toward Moscow before withdrawing to Belarus.
Top line: Prigozhin has shaken the core foundations of Vladimir Putin's authority. Prioritizing the perception of his unquestioned power as much as his effective practice of it, Putin knows he now appears vulnerable and his future uncertain. For just one example of how seismic Prigozhin's short-lived revolution was, consider that his forces easily secured the Ukraine-proximate city of Rostov-on-Don.
Russian state and state-aligned media are playing up the notion that Prigozhin might join his forces in Africa, or split Wagner between a Prigozhin faction and a faction subordinated to the Russian general staff . Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is absurdly suggesting that the rebellion won't affect Russia's relationship with African governments and warlords that have employed Wagner.
At the same time, Moscow's Kommersant newspaper reports that Prigozhin remains under FSB investigation for"insurrection." This is a not-so-subtle hint from Moscow that whatever technical deal has been reached to drop treason charges against him, Prigozhin will be a prospective target for the sharper edges of the Russian state. He'll have to be careful of old friends bearing drinks, for example.Still, the underlying problem for Putin is fourfold.
Put simply, while the immediate threat may have passed, Putin is facing the greatest crisis of his long premiership.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian State TV Anchors Aghast that Putin Didn’t Kill PrigozhinRussian state TV host Vladimir Solovyov was shocked and dismayed at the dismal state of the country’s preparedness that allowed Prigozhin’s forces to roll through the land unimpeded.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: 'Mystery' why Prigozhin stopped march, US official saysA senior U.S. official says it is a mystery as to why Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin stopped his march to Moscow given that he was seemingly in a dominant position.
Read more »
US Secretary of State Blinken says Russia turmoil could take months to play outThe unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Wagner fighters has exposed fresh 'cracks' in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.
Read more »
Ukrainian forces appear to cross river into occupied KhersonJUST IN: The Ukrainian military has landed troops on the Russian-held eastern bank of the Dnipro River across from the city of Kherson, according to Russian reports.
Read more »
'We had no goal of overthrowing' the government: PrigozhinLATEST: The leader of the Wagner Group leader released a recording explaining why his troops reversed course on their campaign against Moscow over the weekend.
Read more »
Putin expresses defiance against attempted Wagner rebellionLATEST: Russian Pres. Putin says Wagner Group's rebellion would have been suppressed even if they hadn't turned back.
Read more »