The Wagner Group Relocates To Belarus
Putin makes another speech attacking those he claims are traitors
More information on why Prigozhin put a halt to his rebellion is released and he also gives a statement (audio file and no visual) to explain why he marched to Moscow, and what the the aims were, and they were not to attack the Kremlin or the government.
One day the claims are that there are still criminal charges against Prigozhin and any of his men that followed him to Russia to take Rostov, then the next, information claims that the charges are dropped. Then later in the day, sources claim that the charges had never been really dropped. This is typical of Russia, where no one actually knows the truth even if the statement has come from the Kremlin.
Russia lost six helicopters and an airplane, although Prigozhin says there were no casualties on the ground. This is because the aircraft were attacking the Wagner group.
The latest twist is that some Russian army officials were aware of the revolt and supported it, but got cold feet at the last minutes and dropped out. Whether or not that can ever be confirmed is in doubt as it would lead to their arrests and probably accidental deaths.
These are the official lines to date:
Prigozhin
He felt forced to carry out the march for justice over how the Kremlin had ordered the Wagner group to be be disbanded (and controlled by the Kremlin) and to be integrated with the Russian army.
The aim of the march was to avoid destruction of Wagner and to hold to account officials who through the unprofessional actions have committed a massive number of errors. We regret we had to hit Russian aviation. We are sorry that we had to strike the aircraft, but they were striking us with bombs and missiles.
We were on a march to demonstrate our protest, not to topple the government.(Prigozhin)
He went to Moscow to hold to account the leaders in the army who had made mistakes, claiming if he had been in charge Ukraine would have been taken already.
He had refused to handover Wagner group to the Kremlin on 1 July 2023, and a march had been planned on 30 June to handover the military hardware to the Ministry of Defence. The march happened a week earlier due to an attack on the Wagner group it is claimed.
It was alleged that the Russian army attacked and killed 30 of his men (a missile in Rostov) and this rebellion was a means to defend his men who had been attacked previously although there has been no evidence of this. However, given that Prigozhin has stated before that Russian troops have not aided them, it is feasible Wagner members are seen as dispensable.
He is a patriot and did this to force the Kremlin to listen, and marched to Moscow to return the heavy weapons (as Russia has admitted to funding the group). He denied it was an attack on Putin himself, but those he had delegated to positions of authority.
It was alleged that members of his family and other Wagner group members were threatened by Russia. As that was an expected tactic, one presumes that precautions were made prior to the rebellion unless the family members were betrayed which is also feasible.
Prigozhin claims that only 1-2% of Wagner members wanted to join the Russian army, therefore, disbanding Wagner would weaken the Russian defences.
Wagner will continue operations in Africa, according to Lavrov, therefore, Prigozhin will operate from Belarus.
Putin
He states that efforts were made to avoid bloodshed and accused the organisers of the mutiny as treasonous
Putin states that Russia has been paying and funding the Wagner group (as expected $1 billion a year May 2022-May 2023) so not quite the private mercenary group it was alleged to be. Thus, the Wagner group have been forced to return all equipment to Russia.
He has stated that all Wagner group members may join the Russian army or go to Belarus and join the Wagner camps there, and any charges will be dropped, or alternatively return to their families. He also claimed that Wagner soldiers were patriots who were misled by the organisers of the march and praised their bravery and courage.
Russian Kommersant report that Russian authorities (FSB) have not dropped the charges against Prigozhin and Wagner dissidents.
Belarus
Prigozhin is in exile in Belarus where he will be permitted to continue with the Wagner group and can set up camps there. Claims that no camps have been set up have been made, where other reports say that Lukashenko has provided areas where camps can be set up.
Lukashenko intervened by calling Prigozhin, and offering him a deal with Putin’s agreement.
Some say that this rebellion has strengthened Ukraine, but a weak Russian government might help, but Ukraine still needs weapons and manpower to fend off the Russians.
Day 488 (26 June)
Prigozhin releases an audio message (11 minutes) to let the world know his side of the story, to let Russians known that he is not a traitor, even though his location is unknown. He gives his version of events and why he was compelled to march to Moscow, and denies he is a traitor.
Putin makes a 5 minute television address stating that charges will be dropped against those who participated in the rebellion and have given them options, to join the Russian army, return to their families, or to go to Belarus. Somehow, he tries to blame the West, claiming they had a part in the rebellion and is investigating the matter. He never mentions Prigozhin by name.
He also claims those who staged the mutiny wanted Russia to lose and for society to to drown in blood. Who later also claimed that the organisers of the rebellion realise their actions were criminal
I thank Wagner soldiers and commanders who did not show blood. You can sign a contract with the Ministry of Defence or move to Belarus. (Putin)
Some western leaders have commented on the Russian situation, but it would have been wiser to remain silent on domestic inner struggles IMHO. The UK said it exposed a weakness in Russian defences and the UK said it showed a struggle within the Russian system.
Zelenskyy visits the frontline in the Donbas, hands out awards and meets with soldiers who fought in Bakhmut.
Russia has reactivated Lourdes, a spy centre in Cuba, where spies arrive disguised as diplomats.
Australia has restricted permissions for the site of a new Russian embassy being build near parliament, citing security concerns.
In occupied Mariupol, documents of male teenagers are being checked as they seek to conscript all available males to fight against Ukraine.
Several countries have demanded that the UN investigate the use of Shahed drones being used by Russia in Ukraine. This has been going on for months now (since October 2022), and even if the UN investigates, what can they do? It shows how useless the UN is while Russia is still a permanent member of the Security Council.
In occupied Melitopol, a sham trial is being held where 5 Ukrainian citizens were detained and tortured for alleged terrorism (as in defending Ukraine).
Hungary has been given permission to receive exports from Russia to assist in maintaining the metro and thus bypass the sanctions. This is a farce as surely the materials can be purchased elsewhere and shows that the EU is also as useless as the UN when it comes to enforcing rules.
In the US, two senators propose that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia or Belarus on Ukraine should be considered an attack on NATO. They also state that this is a preventative measure in a bid to deter Putin from a nuclear attack.
Day 489 (27 June)
Russia media claims the FSB has closed the case on the Wagner boss and mutineers as they stopped short of committing a crime. Others claim it is silently still open.
Switzerland has become a hub for Russian spies, with 220 Russian diplomats either in the embassy or allegedly serving at the UN, but many are in fact spies with diplomatic immunity. This comes from the Swiss intelligence service (Federal Intelligence Service) ‘Russia has destroyed the rules-based order for peace in Europe,’ but as a neutral country they are limited as to what they can do.
Lukashenko in Belarus has stated that the country should be ready for combat due to the threat from the West, but doesn’t say what that threat is.Meanwhile, Belarusians are nervous about the Wagner group being based in their country and being closer to Europe.
Germany has rejected the plans by the European Commission to permit the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine to rebuild the country. This is because of the potential legal risks of claims being made against Germany during WW II. You see, there are always obstacles when countries have to think about their own needs rather than the greater good.
Ukrainian intelligence claims that plans to attack the Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant by the Russians are complete. Reports claim the cooling pond is mined, meaning if it can’t be cooled then reactors can melt, and an incident can occur when the voltage is increased in the power lines too.
In occupied Mariupol, residents who cannot provide paperwork to prove they own the property are being evicted. Many lost papers that were burnt or destroyed during the attack on the city, and this is a way for the Russians to provide homes for their military personnel. So much for saving people from Nazis by starving them and making them homeless. I hope the collaborators are regretting their actions when their neighbours are being made homeless due to their betrayal.
Allies of Ukraine have allegedly warned them not to rock the boat and strike inside Russian territory. To be frank, if Ukraine wishes to use their own weapons and strike military targets then Ukraine should fight the war as they deem fit. If the West wishes to ‘interfere’ then they should provide adequate help and not pledges of weapons a year later. They are not right next to Russia and have regions occupied by them, so it’s easier for them to make suggestions without any risk.
Bulgaria has approved a military aid package to Ukraine, even though the president has stated his disapproval and has public opposed the action.
Wagner camps are being built in Belarus 200km from the Ukrainian border in Asipovichy for 8,000 soldiers, and there are plans for other camps. Amazing how this land was found so quickly!
According to TASS, Wagner recruitment centres have reopened across several cities including Novosibirsk and Tyumen.
Ukraine has liberated Rivnopil in Donetsk near Zaporizhzia.
Russian missiles attack Kramatorsk, killing 11 people and injuring at least a dozen as a restaurant was hit.
Day 490 (28 June)
The Russian deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia continues. This time it is under the guise of a holiday where they are moved from Zaporizhzhia to Chuvash Republic.
Switzerland has rejected the application to re-export 96 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine due their neutral status. The tanks were originally built in Switzerland and were to be modernised in Germany. The law does not permit weapons to conflict zones even via a third party.
US intelligence reports claim that General Sergei Surovikin assisted in the Wagner group rebellion, and other military leaders offered support.
The Polish and Lithuanian presidents visit Kyiv on Constitution Day to reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s membership to NATO.
Lithuania has purchased 2 NASAMS for Ukraine and will transfer them to Ukraine.
In Zelenskyy’s speech, he asked for a sign from NATO that they would be accepted once the war was over. Ukraine has also said it has fulfilled 3 conditions of NATO membership.
In Kramatorsk, a collaborator and suspected spy has been arrested by the SBU as they were caught filming and taking photos of the restaurant that was attacked. It is believed they gave the Russians information and details of when to attack and assisted in the coordination
Russians fired mortars at a village in Kharkiv. Three people were killed instantly in Vovchanski Khutory.
Just imagine being evicted from your home because the paperwork which proves you do, has been destroyed by those evicting you from your property. I'm surprised the leader of the rebellion, or whatever it is being referred to, is still alive.