Russian Mercenary Group Wagner in Turmoil After Leader’s Mysterious Death: Revenge and Power Struggles Unleashed
The Russian mercenary group Wagner, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, is in a state of turmoil following the mysterious death of their leader. With threats of revenge echoing among the scattered veterans of Wagner across Russia, it is President Vladimir Putin who holds the power. The unfolding events have put the spotlight on both internal and external individuals associated with Wagner who may be targeted by Putin.
Wagner operates as a quasi-independent entity within Russia, boasting its own military and an extensive network of veterans in major Russian cities. On messaging app Telegram, numerous Wagner mercenaries are expressing their anger, claiming that the killing of Prigozhin was orchestrated by traitors to Russia who will face severe consequences.
For Putin, the recent turn of events has brought a rare sense of joy amidst a series of setbacks and failures. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has not yielded the quick victory he may have anticipated, resulting in significant casualties and damage to Russia’s military assets. Western sanctions have taken a toll on the economy, with the devaluation of the ruble further exacerbating the challenges.
Russia’s recent failed moon landing attempt, which was followed by India’s successful landing, exemplifies the country’s string of failures that even the Kremlin’s formidable propaganda machine can no longer hide. However, Putin’s demeanor has been far from troubled. In Ponyri, Russia, he exuded happiness, owing to an incident that took place far from his location.
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s demise occurred when the Embraer plane he was flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the village of Kuzhenkino, 700 kilometers away. Prigozhin, a Kremlin oligarch once referred to as Putin’s Chef due to his proximity to the Russian President, had created the Wagner Group of mercenaries with Putin’s approval. This private military company participated in operations in Africa, Syria, and Ukraine, ultimately causing friction with Russian generals and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Prigozhin’s audacious attempt to privatize the war in Ukraine and his subsequent clash with Putin culminated in a failed coup. Despite emerging unharmed, Prigozhin’s fate was sealed upon his return from Africa to St. Petersburg via Moscow. Within hours of the crash, Putin seemed visibly delighted that the catastrophe had claimed the life of his once-close associate.
Putin’s approach to dealing with his adversaries has consistently been ruthless. In the case of former FSB Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Litvinenko, Russian agents smuggled a lethal dose of radioactive polonium to the UK to ensure his demise. Litvinenko suffered for several days before succumbing to the poisoning in 2006. The message was clear: Putin eliminates his enemies without hesitation.
The poisoning of Sergei Skripal and Alexei Navalny with Novichok, a weapon of mass destruction exclusively produced by Russia, further reinforced this message. Russian citizens and the international community understood that crossing Putin carries severe consequences.
Members of the Wagner Group assert that Prigozhin’s plane was shot down by Russian air defense using a surface-to-air missile. Putin’s uncompromising tactic of removing enemies was undoubtedly on full display once again.
Russia now finds itself in the midst of Judgment Day. Prigozhin’s assassination coincided with the official dismissal of Air Force Commander Sergei Surovikin, who allegedly supported Wagner as well. The question remains whether Putin will allow Surovikin to meet a natural end or orchestrate a spectacular demise.
Another figure of interest is Ivan Girkin, a former FSB officer who criticized Putin and played a significant role in the separation of part of Ukraine’s Donbas region nine years ago. Despite previous criticisms being brushed aside, Prigozhin’s failed coup altered the dynamics. Girkin awaits trial, with a potential 20-year prison sentence hanging over him. The question now is whether he will be found hanging in his cell during the morning rounds.
However, the fate of the Wagner Group holds even greater significance. Following Putin’s gangster logic, the group may face complete eradication to ensure that nobody would dare challenge his authority again. The question that remains is whether Russia’s security apparatus, which has proven ineffective in defending the capital against Ukrainian drones, will execute another large-scale purge.
In the realm of Russian politics and power dynamics, alliances can rapidly shift, and sudden downfall looms over those who dare to displease the Kremlin. The Wagner Group’s future remains uncertain as revenge and power struggles unfold within the depths of Russian intrigue.
