Moscow — The rebel Wagner fighters, who had initiated a dramatic mutiny to topple Russia’s military leadership and were en route to Moscow, were reported to be leaving Russia’s southern Voronezh region on Sunday, according to the local governor.
The Kremlin announced on Saturday that the mutiny had come to an end after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin agreed to go into exile in Belarus, a country aligned with Moscow.
The agreement, which saw Prigozhin accepting an amnesty deal, seemingly eliminated the immediate threat of a potential assault on Moscow by his private army. However, analysts suggest that Wagner’s rebellion has revealed vulnerabilities in President Vladimir Putin’s rule.
Also Read Rebels seize military base, pose serious challenge to Putin’s rule
While security measures remained in place under an “anti-terrorism operation” in Moscow on Sunday, the exact whereabouts of Prigozhin remained unknown. Nevertheless, his troops had withdrawn from the military headquarters they had seized in southern Russia.
The long-standing feud between Prigozhin and the top military officials over the handling of Russia’s operation in Ukraine reached a boiling point on Saturday when Wagner forces captured the base in Rostov-on-Don and initiated their advance towards Moscow.
President Putin denounced the mutiny as an act of treason and pledged to punish those involved, accusing them of pushing the country to the brink of civil war. However, he ultimately agreed to a hastily arranged agreement to avert what could have been Russia’s most severe security crisis in decades.
Also Read Putin slams ‘treason’ as forces tackle Wagner revolt
Within hours of Prigozhin’s about-face, the Kremlin announced he would leave for Belarus and Russia would not prosecute either him or the group’s members.
It had been a dramatic day of developments, with President Vladimir Putin warning against civil war, Moscow telling locals to stay off the streets and Kyiv revelling in the chaos engulfing its enemy.
The tide shifted suddenly when Prigozhin made the stunning announcement that his troops were “turning our columns around and going back to field camps” to avoid bloodshed in the Russian capital.
Also Read US spy agencies detected early signs of Russia revolt, say media reports
Prigozhin, who has feuded bitterly with Moscow’s military leadership even as his outfit led parts of Russia’s Ukraine offensive, said he understood the importance of the moment and did not want to “spill Russian blood”.
Wagner troops cheered
By early Sunday Wagner had pulled fighters and equipment from Rostov-on-Don, where they had seized the military headquarters, said the regional governor.
But before they left, dozens of residents were cheering and chanting “Wagner! Wagner!” outside the military headquarters they had captured.
#RussiaUkraineWar️ #Fighters from the #Wagner #mercenary group have left the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don with their leader #YevegenyPrigozhin, the regional governor said early Sunday. #Russia @mfa_russia @MFA_Ukraine @KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/BCaHqMruLC
— TRENDS (@mena_trends) June 25, 2023
Authorities in the southern Lipetsk region announced the lifting of restrictions after earlier reporting Wagner fighters in their territory, where the local capital is just 420 kilometres (260 miles) south of Moscow.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated a truce with Prigozhin, drawing thanks from Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later told reporters that the “criminal case against him (Prigozhin) will be dropped. He himself will go to Belarus.”
Gulf countries call for restraint and dialogue The Gulf countries expressed their deep concern over the recent tensions in Russia, arising from a military rebellion that poses a risk of further escalation and instability in the region. The UAE The UAE emphasized the importance of upholding international law and urged de-escalation and self-restraint to preserve the unity and stability of the Russian Federation. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to achieving security and prosperity for the people of Russia, calling for dialogue and peaceful resolutions to differences. The UAE urged all parties involved to respect the Charter of the United Nations, principles of international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Qatar Qatar, meanwhile, called for maximum restraint and urged protection of civilians from the consequences of confrontation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the escalation in Russia and Ukraine would have negative repercussions on international peace, security, and vital supplies such as food and energy, which are already affected by the ongoing crisis. Reiterating its commitment to the principles of international law, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to relevant international legitimacy resolutions, Qatar urged all parties to seek peaceful dialogue to achieve security and stability in Russia and Ukraine. Bahrain Bahrain was closely monitoring the situation in the Russian Federation, a permanent member of the UN Security Council responsible for international peace and security. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of maintaining stability under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin and implementing Russian laws to safeguard the security and stability of the Russian people. Kuwait In light of the current developments in Russia, the Kuwait Embassy in Russia issued an appeal to Kuwaiti nationals to remain vigilant and follow instructions from Russian authorities for their safety. The embassy provided a contact number, 0079256311313, for Kuwaiti citizens to seek assistance if needed.
Peskov also said that members of Wagner who had taken part in what authorities termed an “armed rebellion” will not be prosecuted.
“Avoiding bloodshed, internal confrontation, and clashes with unpredictable results was the highest goal,” Peskov added.
Kyiv reveled in the chaos that engulfed its enemy.
“Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence,” presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.
While Russia claimed the rebellion had no impact on its Ukraine campaign, Kyiv said the unrest offered a “window of opportunity” as the nation pressed its long-awaited counter-offensive.
Moscow’s warning
The United States and its allies publicly stayed on the sidelines as officials waited to see how the revolt would play out.
US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain amid concerns that Putin’s control over the nuclear-armed country could be slipping.
Moscow issued a stiff warning to the United States and allies to stay back.
“The rebellion plays into the hands of Russia’s external enemies,” the foreign ministry said.
Before Prigozhin’s climbdown, Russian regular forces had launched what one regional governor called a “counter-terrorist operation” to halt the Wagner advance northwards up a main highway towards Moscow.
In the capital, the mayor urged Muscovites to stay indoors and declared Monday a day off work.
Security was tightened in the city centre, with armed men in flak jackets guarding the parliament building and Red Square closed off to the public.
“I don’t know how to react. In any case it’s very sad this is happening,” 35-year-old Yelena told AFP, declining to give her last name.
The measures came after Prigozhin announced his troops had taken control of the military command centre and airbase in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, the nerve centre of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.
‘A blow to Russia’
Responding to the challenge in a televised address, Putin accused Prigozhin of a “stab in the back” that posed a threat to Russia’s very survival.
“Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people,” Putin said, demanding national unity.
“Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason,” Putin said, referring to Prigozhin, who began building his power base as a catering contractor.
Another Putin ally, Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, declared that he had dispatched his own units to help quash the Wagner rebellion.
Armed Wagner fighters deployed around administrative buildings in Rostov and tanks were seen in the city centre.
As the insurrection force headed north through Voronezh and Lipetsk towards Moscow, the capital’s mayor announced that “anti-terrorist” measures were being taken.
Critical facilities were “under reinforced protection”, TASS reported, citing a law enforcement source. While Prigozhin’s outfit fought at the forefront of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, he repeatedly blamed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, for his fighters’ deaths.
(With agency inputs)