What Do We Know About the Wagner Group? The Most Serious Challenge to Putin's Long Reign

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, committed to punishing the 'traitors' of the Wagner mercenary group after its commander swore to overthrow Moscow's military leadership. Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, claimed from late Friday to Saturday that he and his mercenary forces had entered the city of Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia and taken control of military facilities. This article reviews the available information about the events in Russia that we know so far. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the commander of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has been engaged in a power struggle with senior military officials in Russia for months, blaming them for the deaths of his soldiers in eastern Ukraine. The Wagner commander has repeatedly accused Russian military officials of not adequately equipping this private army and obstructing its progress due to bureaucracy, while claiming that he alone is responsible for his mercenaries' victories. It appeared that Prigozhin's anger was boiling over on Friday as he accused Moscow's military leadership of ordering an attack on Wagner camps and killing many of his mercenaries. Prigozhin stated that the Russian military officials must be stopped and vowed to 'go all the way.' He later claimed that his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter. Hours later, the commander of this mercenary group said that military bases in Rostov-on-Don were 'under control.' The Kremlin has stated that 'measures' are being taken against this rebellion. Russia has heightened security measures in Moscow and several regions such as Rostov and Lipetsk. Putin called the Wagner rebellion a 'deadly threat' to Russia and urged the country to unite. He labeled the actions of the Wagner mercenaries as 'treason' and promised 'inevitable punishment.' Who are the Wagner soldiers? This private army has participated in various conflicts in the Middle East and Africa but has always denied its presence. Prigozhin admitted last year that he founded this group and recruited soldiers from Russian prisons in exchange for amnesty. In eastern Ukraine, these mercenaries lead Russia's costly battles. They fought at the forefront of the months-long assault on Bakhmut and captured the city after weeks of heavy casualties. What impact does this event have on Russia's war in Ukraine? This rebellion is the most serious challenge to Putin's long reign and the most serious security crisis in Russia since he came to power in late 1999. It could divert attention and resources from the battlefields in Ukraine at a time when Kyiv is in the midst of a counteroffensive to reclaim lost territories. The Ukrainian army has stated that it is monitoring the internal conflicts between Prigozhin and Putin. Meanwhile, Moscow has warned that the Ukrainian army is taking advantage of this opportunity to concentrate its forces 'for offensive actions' near Bakhmut. This rebellion is also of great importance to world leaders, as leaders from the United States, France, and Germany have stated that they are closely following developments in Russia. Global reactions to the crisis in Russia; Zelensky: Anyone who chooses 'evil' will destroy themselves. Russia in crisis; the Chechen leader issued a warning to the commander of 'Wagner.' Friday night unrest in the Kremlin; the Wagner commander accused the defense minister of treason and marched towards Moscow. The Wagner group claimed to have control of Rostov; Putin delivered a speech. Crisis in Russia; the mercenaries of 'Wagner' are turning their weapons towards Russia?