FSB Starts criminal proceedings against Prigozhin for "the Organization of Armed Insurrection"

originally posted by: ufoorbhunter
Just seen a Russian on TV saying by positioning Prighozin in Belarus, Wagner can now start their own second front against Ukraine from the north. The movement of tactical nukes onto Ukraine was all part of this plan as a backup.

Not aware of anyone reporting that Wagner Group forces are going to Belarus as well, let alone their getting ahold of nukes. There are 6 tactical nukes now based in Belarus, according to Russia, but these are under the MOD's control. Don't see Prigozhin wanting to die, so I don't see him using nukes.

Also heard a report that his wealth ($48 million in US dollars and gold bars) and multiple passports have been seized by the FSB in St. Petersburg, but could not find any confirmation of this report. If he does try to start up a Belarus franchise of the WG, he's going to need money to pay them, as well as recruits. Don't see the WG veterans, whom he seems to have sold out, as being interested in getting fooled again.

For those claiming the actions taken by Prigozhin at the weekend were staged.

Imagery published on social media has confirmed that a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post platform was among several military aircraft shot down inside Russia in an apparent attempted coup by the Wagner Private Military Co.

Wagner-operated air defenses brought down the four-engine turboprop on June 24 near the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia as the paramilitary group’s forces made an advance toward Moscow in what President Vladimir Putin described as an “internal betrayal” of the Russian people. All 10 crew on the Il-22 were killed.

Wagner forces also bought down several Mil Mil-8/17 transport helicopters, including: a specialized electronic warfare version; a Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter; and a Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter being used to to stave off Wagner’s advance.
aviationweek.com...

It also seems the charges against Prigozhin haven't been dropped according to state media today.

Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin still faces prosecution for his armed insurrection despite the Kremlin promising the charges against him would be dropped, according to state media.

Ria Novosti, Russia’s main state news service, on Monday cited a source in the prosecutor-general’s office saying the charges had not been dropped. Kommersant, a Russian business newspaper, also reported that the FSB, Russia’s main security service, was still investigating Prigozhin and said “not enough time has passed to take another decision”.
www.ft.com...

a reply to: gortex

All is not well, apparently:

www.express.co.uk...


"Russian President Vladimir Putin may launch a "Stalin-style" purge in an attempt to cling to power, a British MP has warned.

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, also suggested Russian intelligence may have kept information regarding the Wagner Group's uprising from Putin, as it emerged both London and Washington had learned Yevgeny Prigozhin was building up his mercenary troops near the Russian borders last week.

She told the Daily Mail: "I think our Government knew for a few days that something was coming.

"That means Russian intelligence should clearly have had some idea. Did Russian intelligence not believe he was capable of marching on Moscow or did they lie to Putin because they were scared of him?"

The senior Tory MP added she doesn't believe the deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko between Prigozhin and Putin will mark the end of the tensions between the former allies and within the Kremlin."

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

"Russian President Vladimir Putin may launch a "Stalin-style" purge in an attempt to cling to power, a British MP has warned.

I doubt it , to do so would prove Prigozhin right plus Russia is in a war that isn't going so well , the last thing he wants to do is add to the chaos by shuffling his pack , I think the British MP is just flapping her jaw.

Prigozhin has today released an audio statement, here's some excerpts

“Wagner is likely the most experienced and combat-ready formation in Russia — and possibly in the world,” he said. “At this time, Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko extended his hand and offered to find solutions for the continued work of Wagner PMC within a legal jurisdiction.”

“We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and legally elected power. We turned around so as not to spill the blood of Russian soldiers.”

“We stopped when it became clear that a lot of blood would flow,” Prigozhin said in the statement posted on his Telegram channel.

“The demonstration of what we could do was sufficient. Our decision to return was driven by two factors. One, that we did not want Russian blood to flow. The second factor was that we went to demonstrate our protest, and not to overthrow the government of the country.”

“We regret that we were forced to fire on military aircraft but these aircraft were dropping bombs and firing missiles at us,”

a reply to: gortex

It's all just speculation at the moment.

a reply to: anonentity

Just because you say it's a fact simply does not make it so.

Putin's days are numbered now and the sharks can smell the blood so to speak and are circling.

a reply to: gortex

Kind of shows how dysfunctional Russia as a nation is. Could you imagine if some militia in the US went rogue and shot down a few military air craft?

There would be all hell to pay… but over there in Russia they’re just gonna let it fly.

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

"Russian President Vladimir Putin may launch a "Stalin-style" purge in an attempt to cling to power, a British MP has warned.

yeah wouldn't surprise me none if there was some new Kamikaze From The 100th Floor, or Swan Dive To The Street competitions in moscow in the next couple of months.

originally posted by: MrInquisitive

originally posted by: ufoorbhunter
Just seen a Russian on TV saying by positioning Prighozin in Belarus, Wagner can now start their own second front against Ukraine from the north. The movement of tactical nukes onto Ukraine was all part of this plan as a backup.

Not aware of anyone reporting that Wagner Group forces are going to Belarus as well, let alone their getting ahold of nukes. There are 6 tactical nukes now based in Belarus, according to Russia, but these are under the MOD's control. Don't see Prigozhin wanting to die, so I don't see him using nukes.

Also heard a report that his wealth ($48 million in US dollars and gold bars) and multiple passports have been seized by the FSB in St. Petersburg, but could not find any confirmation of this report. If he does try to start up a Belarus franchise of the WG, he's going to need money to pay them, as well as recruits. Don't see the WG veterans, whom he seems to have sold out, as being interested in getting fooled again.

Totally appreciate that nobody is reporting Wagner forces are going to Belarus, the above was about a report on France24 where they were interviewing a Russian civilian who stayed that the rumour going around Russia was Prighozin was going to set up a second front in the north to invade Ukraine with his own

Regarding Prighozin affording the above the whole Wagner group looks like a total invention of the GRU and is already tied in with Putin's vast wealth. Wagner also has a steady stream of income from its overseas mining and protection rackets. Also the quoted 48 million in wealth, a fortune as it is to us, my bet he's got tens of billions stashed away on private overseas bank accounts. These sort of people who've been friends with Putin since the 1980's tend to have massed insane amounts of wealth that make the above numbers look like small change

a reply to: gortex

...I think the British MP is just flapping her jaw.

Quite possibly. I mean let's face it, that's sort of their default setting.

But to be fair, its also sort of customary for Russian politicians/dictators to conduct a purge whenever threatened and Putin certainly isn't adverse to offing his opponents when he feels like it.

Got to say, I still can't fathom out what's going on in Russia at present.
Prigozhin's overnight weak and feeble capitulation and subsequent exile to a country ruled by a Putin lapdog just doesn't sit right with me.

originally posted by: Freeborn
a reply to: gortex

...I think the British MP is just flapping her jaw.

Quite possibly. I mean let's face it, that's sort of their default setting.

But to be fair, its also sort of customary for Russian politicians/dictators to conduct a purge whenever threatened and Putin certainly isn't adverse to offing his opponents when he feels like it.

Got to say, I still can't fathom out what's going on in Russia at present.
Prigozhin's overnight weak and feeble capitulation and subsequent exile to a country ruled by a Putin lapdog just doesn't sit right with me.

I think part of our confusion is that the Russian culture in terms of events like these is apparently far different than how a western society would react.

It is tempting to believe this is a plot of some kind, but Putin came out of this looking damaged, and his tone is still shrill regarding the event. HIs request for Prigo-loyal Wagner troops to "self identify" ... hoo boy, that sounds like, "line up here for a bullet in the back of the head".

As a Ukrainian commenter on twitter mentioned, what Prigo did showed that anyone with troops and a plan can march right up to Moscow. The Rosgvardia troops were worthless and Russia has so many troops committed trying to subdue Ukraine that they had little to put in Prigo's way. Situation appears unstable, Putin will probably have to off at least one oligarch if he wants to regain his title as undisputed chief.

Cheers

Bizarre as hell that Prighozin skates off to Belarus with no charges, exiled in the same country that is receiving tactical nukes from Russia? Putin is desperate to hold on to as many of Wagner's troops as possible, if not for Ukraine they will be needed in the middle east and Africa.

Regardless Putin looks weak AF, which in itself is inherently dangerous. Or Am I giving him too much credit?

Putin praised the work of Wagner commanders.

That was “likely to retain them” in the Russian effort in Ukraine, because Moscow needs “trained and effective manpower” as it faces the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a Washington-based think tank.

The Institute for the Study of War also noted that the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent haven could be a trap.

Prigozhin’s short-lived insurrection over the weekend has rattled Russia’s leadership.

apnews.com...

Russian authorities said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny “ceased activities directed at committing the crime,” so the case would not be pursued.

The announcement was the latest twist in a series of stunning events in recent days that have brought the gravest threat so far to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power amid the 16-month-old war in Ukraine.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has treated those staging anti-government protests in Russia.

Many opposition figures in Russia have received long prison terms and are serving time in penal colonies notorious for harsh conditions.

The whereabouts of Prigozhin remained a mystery Tuesday. The Kremlin has said he would be exiled to neighboring Belarus, but neither he nor the Belarusian authorities have confirmed that.

I thought they said this wouldn't happen if he stood down.

a reply to: SovietReunion

I think that's because the thread was posted while what would happen was still up for debate.

And Putin did not know Prigozhin and Wagner would cr#p their breeks and back down a couple of hundred km shy of Moscow.

Anyhoo if you look at the current situation Russia is trying to make it look like its simply business as usual.

The damage through to Putin's regime and reputation has been done.

Looks like Wagner is disbanded. Been at the tip of the spear for a while, lot of casualties. A mercenary group, similar to something like Blackwater. As for the Troops, some go to Russia, some to Belarus, a few will do their own thing.

Gives Mr P a bit of time to regroup should this NATO/Russia thing expand out of Ukraine. What side will he and his troops pick should this war sweep through there?

a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

You may well be right, the difference in attitudes may account for a lot.

But historically Russian leaders, and that includes Putin, have always retaliated quite brutally to any counter-plots or acts of defiance and insurgence.
One sensed that Wagner could have strolled all the way to Moscow virtually unopposed, as you say it seemed as if Putin had no substantial and effective resources to prevent them.

Putin has come out of this looking weak, but so has Prizoghin. He had the opportunity to make a massive statement and maneuver himself into a position of real strength and influence.

I know Prozoghin's exile to Belarus means that he's away from The Kremlin and Russia etc whilst Putin can still allegedly keep an eye on him and his possible plotting, but Prizo is also close enough to actively influence Wagner and their future activities be they clandestine or open and above board.

Chances of Prizoghin getting an ice pick in his head or has he 'got' something on Putin that is preventing this?

a reply to: putnam6

Its laughable that Putin see's fit to congratulate Shoigu for the 'suppression' of the 'mutiny'.
A classic example if ever there was one of someone trying their very, very best to polish a turd.

has he 'got' something on Putin that is preventing this?

He has 30K troop die under his command fighting for Russia.