Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has revealed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner Group, is currently in Russia and not in Belarus, as previously suggested. Lukashenko stated that Prigozhin may be in either St Petersburg or Moscow, asserting that he is “absolutely free.” Furthermore, Lukashenko confirmed that the Wagner troops remain at their previous camps, where they were stationed before their failed coup attempt last month.
The 62-year-old Prigozhin has not been seen in public since he was forced to leave the Russian city of Rostov following his order for his men to stand down. Speculation surrounding his future and that of his mercenary group has been ongoing. Last week, Lukashenko announced that Prigozhin was in Belarus following a deal brokered between Belarus and the Kremlin, which brought an end to the armed mutiny on June 24.
Although Lukashenko did not disclose the specific locations of the camps, it is known that Prigozhin’s mercenaries had previously fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Russian media reports have recently claimed sightings of Prigozhin in St Petersburg.
Security and defense editor Deborah Haynes of Sky News suggests that if these reports are accurate, they indicate “unresolved issues.” She points out that Prigozhin’s potential journey to Moscow does not demonstrate defiance but rather suggests lingering unresolved matters related to the extraordinary affair that posed a significant threat to President Putin’s authority just two and a half weeks ago.
When asked about Prigozhin and his mercenaries potentially moving to Belarus, Lukashenko gave an evasive response, stating that it would depend on decisions made by Prigozhin and the Russian government. Lukashenko has previously expressed his belief that Wagner’s presence in Belarus would not lead to destabilization in his country.
Meanwhile, Russian security services have raided Prigozhin’s palace in St Petersburg, uncovering gold bars, a stuffed alligator, and a wardrobe full of wigs. The pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia has published images and videos of the raid. The exact terms of the Belarus-brokered deal remain unclear, but it is believed that Prigozhin agreed to relocate to Belarus.
President Putin has described Wagner’s brief rebellion as “treason” and “a stab in the back.” However, following its cancellation, the Kremlin announced that all criminal charges against Prigozhin would be dropped, and Wagner fighters would not face prosecution. The group has played a significant role in Moscow’s achievements during the war in Ukraine, including the capture of the city of Bakhmut after months of intense fighting.
