Putin’s Chief “Prigojin” and the heavy price of betrayal

Who is the Wagner Group?

It is considered a de facto unit of Russia’s military intelligence agency, as it operates to support Russian interests, acquires military equipment from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), and uses MoD installations for training.

Leader of the Group, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigojin. Putin’s right-hand man… His cook… The chef who tastes his food, the close guard who controls his drink… The President’s most trusted man… What happened when he turned into a traitor who stabbed Putin in the back?

Wagner in revolt…

You may remember that Wagner launched an armed rebellion on June 23, 2023. The main reason for this rebellion; the transfer of mercenaries to the Ministry of Defense and thus the attempt to bring the Wagner Group and its boss, Yevgeny Prigojin, to heel. Wagner did not accept this situation and almost attempted a coup against the MoD.

The revolt was the biggest challenge to Vladimir Putin’s own authority in over 20 years of rule.

Troops of Russia’s mercenary group Wagner marched towards Moscow as an act of rebellion against the country’s military command; but on the same day an agreement was reached and the troops were ordered to return. The revolt lasted 24 hours. The Kremlin has struggled to describe its post-riot response as strong and determined.

According to the agreement made; Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigojin, will be exiled to Belarus, and his soldiers who did not participate in the rebellion will be able to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense.

Prigojin, on the other hand, said in his statements during this process that the Ministry of Defense wanted to “disperse” Wagner. He stated that no one agreed to sign a contract with the ministry and that the mercenary company had to be liquidated on 1 July.

After the riot…

Putin had prevented Prigojin from gambling and prevented further divisions among the Russian elite from surfacing, but of course he wasn’t satisfied with that.

Putin could not digest the challenge to his authority!

23 August 2023| Prigojin was killed. The plane with important names of the Wagner Group was shot down. There was no survivor. After what happened, there was no rejection from Putin. Presumably, Putin wanted to give a challenge lesson to those who took their power from the west, not from his own country. The teeth that the dog he was feeding were enough to catch him by surprise!

It is always a better decision to crush the head of the snake when it is small. While the European states were making moves that threatened Russia’s border security, the revolt of the soldiers that should have been under their command was a situation that would damage Russia’s reputation.

How was it possible for a Leader who could not afford the defeatists within himself to protect his country from external threats?

In the war with Ukraine, Putin never compromised his upright stance. Even the implementation of embargoes by the countries of the world against Russia could not deter him from his goal. There was no margin for error for Putin, who gave the right to be someone who feeds on power, not money. Therefore, everyone who resisted against the Kremlin would have their ticket cut off. In the Wagner case, he showed once again that he did not compromise his authority in the country.

The Wagner effect in the Ukrainian War!

Wagner played a major role in Russia’s capture of the city of Bahmut in eastern Ukraine. Although Ukrainian troops say that their fighters were sent to attack in large numbers and these attacks resulted in many deaths; The Russian Ministry of Defense did not admit that the Wagner Group took part in the conflict in Ukraine. This attitude brought along Prigojin’s complaints against Russia’s military leaders.

Prigojin threatened to withdraw Wagner troops from Bahmut, saying they were “deprived of ammunition”. Again, there was a disobedience to the order.

The struggle for existence was increasingly a threat to the Wagner Group, and this obvious threat was well read by Putin. The boss was Putin. In the face of Putin, who threatens the whole world with nuclear weapons, who would be in a position to undermine the progress in Ukraine?

Was the Wagner Group a threat to Africa?

Mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner Group were active in at least 10 countries in Africa, including Libya, Mali, Sudan and the Central African Republic. And it was very serious discomfort and anxiety.

Saying that “Africa will be one of the leaders in the multipolar world order”, Putin’s “shadow army” was causing conflicts and disagreements. Putin, who attached importance to cooperation with African countries, was so optimistic that he had these countries cleared more than 20 billion dollars of debt to Russia.

“Let me say that our country has always given priority to cooperation with African countries and will continue to do so.” said Putin, continuing his praise of Africa:

“African states are constantly increasing their weight and role in world affairs, asserting themselves more confidently in the field of politics and economy.”

Putin: “It should be emphasized that grain and fertilizers go to needy states in Africa, not to well-fed European countries.” His saying was a reflection of his friendly relationship with Africa. A man who was crazy enough to spend the West and what was sold to the West in one pen was also merciful enough to give priority to the African oppressed.

What will be the fate of the grain aisle?

Although the Wagner leader paid the price for his treachery with his life, the question is, how will this unsolved incident leave traces in the world, will it make a splash?

On August 3, President Erdogan and Russian President Putin had a telephone conversation.

During the contact, Putin conveyed Russia’s principle view on the Grain Corridor to Erdogan, as a requirement of the agreement made in Istanbul for Russia to return to the grain agreement; He emphasized that “if the sanctions on Russian food and fertilizer are abandoned”, “Russia will return to the agreement as soon as the Western countries fulfill the agreement”.

How does the grain corridor process work after the death of Progojin and Wagner Group chief members? This is perhaps the most important issue to be concerned about. Wagner members have already begun sending word to their troops for the uprising.

The probability of a civil war in Russia is very high. If it was the Kremlin that gave the order to kill Progojin, I think the necessary precautions were taken for that as well. It is difficult to predict what will happen in Russia, but it is a fact that for Putin the grain corridor has been shelved for now. Progojin’s death seems to cast a shadow over the grain aisle…