Where is Putin? Russia is eerily quiet after Wagner uprising

Tension erupted in Russia on Friday when Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder and chief of the mercenary Wagner group, posted audio messages on Telegram accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of attempting to “destroy” Wagner.

He promised to “punish” the Defence Ministry for an alleged missile strike on a Wagner base and the deaths of “tens of thousands” of Russian soldiers in the Ukraine war. The Defence Ministry rejected the claims about the missile attack.

A “Direct Challenge” To Putin’s Authority

As an international audience watched the chaos unfold and progress in a bewildering 24 hours, troops loyal to Prigozhin advanced hundreds of miles toward Moscow only for him to suddenly call off the assault and agree to go into exile with all charges against him and his fighters dropped.

Washington already had intelligence days ago that the Wagner mercenary chief was plotting to take action against the Defence Ministry, a person familiar with the matter revealed. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the revolt was a “direct challenge” to Putin’s authority.

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An eerie calm fell on Russia after a sudden end to the armed assault. The president hasn’t been seen in public since calling the uprising “treason” and threatening severe punishment that never saw the light of day. Prigozhin’s whereabouts are unknown as well.

“Putin Had To Make Concessions”

Putin is yet to comment on the deal the Belarusian president and an ally, Alexander Lukashenko, brokered to end the revolt. According to Kremlin, the Russian leader guaranteed to let Prigozhin travel to Belarus and to drop all charges against him concerning the mutiny.

Putin had to make concessions … Instead of defeating Prigozhin, he had to negotiate with him … demonstrating in public his vulnerability,” said Kirill Rogov, a former Russian government advisor and current head of Vienna-based think tank Re:Russia.

The decision to not prosecute members of the Wagner group doesn’t go in line with the lengthy jail sentences authorities have given people for even minor protests against the raging war. Meanwhile, a highly-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive continues.