Putin Faces Mutiny: Russian President Battles Wagner Group's Rebellion, Revealing Military Weaknesses
In a surprising turn of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin faced a major mutiny by the Wagner Group, a private military company, after 70 weeks since ordering troops into Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner Group, circulated a video showing a missile attack against his company, alleging it was carried out by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Prigozhin, who had criticized the incompetence of the Russian military leadership and sought credit for capturing several Ukrainian territories, vowed to settle scores with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov before returning to Ukraine. The mutiny unfolded rapidly as Wagner forces advanced towards Moscow, capturing military assets and meeting little resistance.
Russia's air force was unable to stop them due to their integrated air defence systems. However, the mutiny ultimately ended as Putin declared Prigozhin a traitor and the rebel leader accepted a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that granted him immunity in Belarus.
The mutiny highlighted the weaknesses and vulnerabilities within Russia's military and state apparatus and left Putin looking weak, signaling potential future threats to his leadership. Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its counteroffensive against Russian defences, reclaiming occupied territory.
The effects of the mutiny on the overall situation in the region remain to be seen.