An armed mutiny in Russia that threatened to escalate into a coup and civil war appeared over Sunday. It was seen as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most significant challenge to his authority since gaining power over two decades ago.
By Stefan J. Bos
Residents cheered as fighters of Russia’s Wagner mercenaries group left the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.
Their rebellion ended after a Belarus-brokered deal with the Kremlin. Under the agreement, Wagner fighters can return to their base and won’t be prosecuted. But their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin must leave Russia and move to neighboring Belarus.
Critics say that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position has weakened as Wagner seized control of military facilities in this significant Russian city with apparent ease. Wagner forces even pushed north towards Moscow before halting their march to avoid bloodshed.
Putin’s Rival
And the man behind the rebellion, Prigozhin, is free as charges of armed mutiny are dropped, although he tried to topple the military leadership of Russia. He is also seen as a potential rival to Putin in the near future.
Although the mutiny is now over, commentators called the recent development a humiliating setback for Putin, who decried Prigozhin’s actions as “treason” in a televised address on Saturday.
Prigozhin said he acted after Russia’s military attacked his forces and demanded talks with the defense minister and others. He earlier blamed the Russian army’s leadership for effectively abandoning Wagner mercenaries fighting in Ukraine by not providing enough ammunition.
But the situation de-escalated after negotiations between Prigozhin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia.
Moscow tensions
Yet tensions remain high in Moscow, the seat of the Kremlin and Russia’s legislature, with the mayor telling residents to avoid traveling. All mass outdoor events have been canceled in Russia’s capital until July 1, underscoring remaining security challenges for Russia’s leadership.
The mutiny also raised questions about the Russian military’s chain of command that Ukraine hopes will encourage Russian forces to surrender or leave.
Russia’s army invaded neighboring Ukraine in February last year, occupying several regions with the support of Wagner mercenaries. But Moscow has thus far failed in its attempt to take over the whole country in a war that is believed to have killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people.
