Belarus Leader Confirms Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia, Not Belarus
Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko has disclosed that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a short-lived rebellion in Russia, is currently in St Petersburg, Russia, and not in Belarus as previously believed. Prigozhin’s location had been a mystery since the mutiny, but Lukashenko clarified the situation, contradicting his previous statement that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus. The Belarus leader helped broker the deal to end the mutiny and has now confirmed Prigozhin’s presence in Russia.
Uncertainty Surrounding Prigozhin’s Movements
Although, it was tracked that Prigozhin’s private jet flying to Belarus in late June and returning to Russia the same evening, it is unclear if Prigozhin himself was on board. Lukashenko’s statement about Prigozhin’s current location cannot be independently verified at this time. Prigozhin’s private jet has since made multiple flights between St Petersburg and Moscow, raising questions about his movements.
Wagner Group and Belarus’ Offer
Lukashenko reiterated his offer for the Wagner Group to station some of its fighters in Belarus, providing several Soviet-era military sites for their use. This offer has raised concerns among neighboring NATO countries. However, Lukashenko acknowledged that Wagner had a different vision and did not provide further details. He stated that the issue of relocating Wagner fighters to Belarus has not been resolved.
Wagner’s Role and Mutiny
The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine. Prigozhin’s mutiny involved Wagner mercenaries crossing from field camps in Ukraine into the city of Rostov-on-Don, seizing control of certain security facilities. The group then moved towards Moscow, prompting heightened security measures across various regions, including the capital. President Vladimir Putin confirmed casualties among Russian pilots and the destruction of several aircraft during the mutiny. As part of the agreement to end the rebellion, Prigozhin received security assurances, and the Russian criminal case against Wagner was dropped, with fighters given the options to sign regular army contracts, return home, or go to Belarus.
Tentative Signs of Wagner Presence in Belarus
Satellite images have shown the construction of tents at a former military base near Minsk, suggesting preparations for Wagner’s potential presence. However, there has been no definitive confirmation of their arrival in Belarus thus far. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, does not perceive Wagner fighters moving to his country as a risk and believes they would not take up arms against Belarus.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Janam Tv English
Whether writing about complex technical topics or breaking news stories, my writing is always clear, concise, and engaging. My dedication to my craft and passion for storytelling have earned me a reputation as a highly respected article writer.