We shall see. If Prigozhin was serious with this "rebellion," then it was a mark of weakness that Putin let him off. Letting him off only opens the doors to the others who are dissatisfied with losing the war in Ukraine.
Yes, we shall see if it was a mark of weakness by Putin, or a canny way to stage reposition of Wagner, closer and better armed, to the enemy - Ukraine. I sincerely hope it's your assessment Tom.
It was done in an awfully performative way though... If it weren't for the exchange where Putin called him a traitor and he responded that Putin had "chosen the wrong side" and they would have a new President soon, I would have sworn it was political theater with an identifiable goal. If so, Prigozhin should have steadfastly continued swearing his loyalty to Putin. Their timing was inexplicably off for best effect and outcome.
Is Wagner still necessary in Ukraine and would that be enough to keep Prigozhin alive until the end of the war at least? I don't know, but I remember that one of the uses of the Wagner Group has been to have a military group to support bad actors and engage in evil doings in other countries with plausible deniability. Their use in Ukraine pretty much undermined that, but this turn of events restores their status as a hammer Putin can claim is independent. That may not be enough to keep Prigozhin alive if Putin feels he needs to visit the 50th floor, but it may at least weigh in his favor.
And like all the oligarchs, they are trustees for hiding PutinтАЩs wealth abroad. Like the KGB, the FDB utilizes the Russian Mafia too, Prigozhin has those mafia ties too. He is a billionaire. So collecting all that cash he is hiding has to be a concern. Right?
Maybe not, Tom. These 2 men have known each other a long time. Prigozhin has carried Putin's water in Syria, Lybia, Africa and Ukraine.
Still carries it in Africa.
He's an asset to Putin.
There's a reason he's
in Belarus. It's a lot closer to Khiv and now
Prigozhin has access to weapons he was not evidently getting from the generals. I
think there's more to
this then we're seeing
right now. Supposed 25,000 Wagner's in
Belarus? Not good, if
those are actual troop
stats.
We shall see. If Prigozhin was serious with this "rebellion," then it was a mark of weakness that Putin let him off. Letting him off only opens the doors to the others who are dissatisfied with losing the war in Ukraine.
Yes, we shall see if it was a mark of weakness by Putin, or a canny way to stage reposition of Wagner, closer and better armed, to the enemy - Ukraine. I sincerely hope it's your assessment Tom.
Would Wagner be any more effective if they invaded from the north /Belarus?
It was done in an awfully performative way though... If it weren't for the exchange where Putin called him a traitor and he responded that Putin had "chosen the wrong side" and they would have a new President soon, I would have sworn it was political theater with an identifiable goal. If so, Prigozhin should have steadfastly continued swearing his loyalty to Putin. Their timing was inexplicably off for best effect and outcome.
Is Wagner still necessary in Ukraine and would that be enough to keep Prigozhin alive until the end of the war at least? I don't know, but I remember that one of the uses of the Wagner Group has been to have a military group to support bad actors and engage in evil doings in other countries with plausible deniability. Their use in Ukraine pretty much undermined that, but this turn of events restores their status as a hammer Putin can claim is independent. That may not be enough to keep Prigozhin alive if Putin feels he needs to visit the 50th floor, but it may at least weigh in his favor.
The Oligarchs.
And like all the oligarchs, they are trustees for hiding PutinтАЩs wealth abroad. Like the KGB, the FDB utilizes the Russian Mafia too, Prigozhin has those mafia ties too. He is a billionaire. So collecting all that cash he is hiding has to be a concern. Right?