The Belarusian defence ministry has released a video showing Wagner Group fighters instructing Belarusian soldiers at a military range near the town of Asipovichy, southeast of Minsk. The ministry confirmed that the Wagner fighters were acting as instructors in various military disciplines.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko played a role in resolving a recent mutiny by the Wagner Group. The group briefly took control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advanced towards Moscow, shooting down Russian military helicopters and killing their pilots. As part of the resolution, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin agreed to relocate the mercenaries to Belarus, and Russia dropped mutiny charges.
Since leaving Rostov, Prigozhin has not been seen in public. However, a Belarusian messaging app channel claimed that he spent a night at the training camp and posted a photo of him inside a tent.
In an interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he had offered a way forward for the Wagner fighters, suggesting they could gather in one place and continue their service under the same leadership. However, Prigozhin declined the offer.
Wagner Group, although operating illegally in Russia, gained notoriety during the conflict in Ukraine. Putin acknowledged that Prigozhin’s company had received substantial financial support from the state and indicated that an investigation would determine if any funds had been misappropriated, suggesting the possibility of financial charges against Prigozhin.
