Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian warlord, has finally resurfaced after a week of silence. He recently shared a heartfelt message on Monday, expressing his gratitude to all the supporters of his recent, albeit unsuccessful, uprising.
Prigozhin released voice message
In a 41 second voice message shared on Telegram, Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary army, emphasized that the purpose of their “March of Justice” was to combat traitors and unite society. He also assured his supporters that they can expect further victories in the near future on the front lines. “Thanks, guys!” he exclaimed.
It’s worth noting that Prigozhin, who is 62 years old, experienced a dramatic shift in public perception, going from being seen as a folk hero to becoming public enemy number one in Russia. This transformation occurred after he led a 36-hour armed insurrection last month, capturing the city of Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia and advancing within 200 km of the capital, Moscow.
“stab in the back,”
Prigozhin ultimately decided to withdraw from his position after President Vladimir Putin denounced the mutiny as a “stab in the back.” As a result, he received a judicial reprieve through a deal facilitated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. According to the agreement, Prigozhin and his men would embark on a journey of exile.
In his latest statement, which he shared on his personal Telegram channels on June 26, the warlord clarified that he had issued orders for his troops to retreat to their base. His intention was to avoid any violence and prevent a potential bloodbath. Additionally, he addressed the suggestions that he was attempting to stage a coup, clarifying his position on the matter.
In a recent development, Lukashenko officially confirmed Prigozhin’s arrival in Belarus last Tuesday. However, the warlord’s exact whereabouts still remain shrouded in mystery. Interestingly, during this time, he faced a setback as his Russian media assets were stripped away. Adding to the intrigue, Prigozhin’s latest voice message found its way to the public through Grey Zone, a sympathetic Telegram channel. With Prigozhin’s movements and actions being closely followed, uncertainty looms, and the plot thickens.
There’s no requirement for a new mobilization to replace Wagner: Official
In light of a recent mutiny and subsequent departure of Wagner troops from the battlefield in Ukraine, state media quoted a defense official on Monday, affirming that there is no need for additional mobilization efforts in Russia. This development underscores the evolving situation following the embarrassing rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, against Russia’s top military brass. The absence of further mobilization highlights alternative strategies being considered by the authorities in addressing the aftermath of this incident.
Prigozhin subsequently abandoned his plan to advance on Moscow and struck a deal with the Kremlin. Under the agreement, he accepted exile in neighboring Belarus. This unexpected twist in events showcases the diplomatic negotiations and resolution reached between Prigozhin and Russian authorities.
Putin’s Remark Regarding Wagner Funding Highlights Ukraine Connection
Ukraine’s top prosecutor informed Reuters this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statements regarding payments to the Wagner group serve as “direct evidence” of the illegal affiliation between Wagner mercenaries and the Russian army in the ongoing war.
Putin’s disclosure, made last week, unveiled that Wagner and its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had received an astonishing sum of almost $2 billion from Russia in the past year.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin highlighted these significant developments while attending the opening of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague on Monday.
Prigozhin suspect in serious war crimes by Wagner fighters: Kostin
During ongoing investigations this year, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin stated that his office had identified Yevgeny Prigozhin as a suspect. Additionally, Kostin emphasized that Wagner fighters were responsible for some of the most severe war crimes committed since the invasion on February 24, 2022.
While Russia tries to draw a distinction between Wagner forces and its own military, Putin’s recent remarks regarding state budget expenditure on Wagner served as “direct evidence” that they are not only de facto, but likely, illegally part of the Russian army. It is important to note that employing mercenaries in armed conflict is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions.
Kostin’s office is currently investigating over 93,000 potential incidents of war crimes, among which are numerous atrocities committed by Wagner forces, according to Kostin’s statement. These revelations further underscore the gravity of the situation and the involvement of Wagner mercenaries in heinous acts during the conflict.
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