Expert: Wagner Group Chief Emerges As ‘Alternative Leader’ In Russia, Won’t Stay Banished For Long

Wagner Group commander Yegevny Prigozhin has emerged as a new figure in Russia, positioned as an “alternative leader” created directly by President Vladimir Putin himself, and it is unlikely that he will remain sidelined for an extended period, according to a former senior US official.

Prigozhin, previously known as a ruthless leader of mercenaries, has seemingly transformed overnight into a “nationalist, populist leader,” remarked Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration, in an interview with “Today” following Prigozhin’s 36-hour revolt against Moscow.

McFaul emphasized the dangers posed to Putin, stating, “Putin has effectively established an alternative leader, which is highly precarious for him.” This assessment is based on Prigozhin’s well-received dissenting statements against Putin, disseminated through Telegram, as well as video footage depicting him being hailed by Russian citizens.

Expressing uncertainty about Putin’s ability to control Prigozhin, McFaul said, “I don’t know how [Putin] is going to rein him in.”

Under an arrangement facilitated by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday, Prigozhin was expected to be banished to the pro-Russian nation in exchange for Putin refraining from charging him or his men with any crimes related to their planned coup.

However, since then, Prigozhin has remained unseen and unheard from, apart from some slightly-smiling selfies taken with admirers in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city that Wagner soldiers briefly occupied before abandoning their revolt.

When questioned about Prigozhin’s current location, Concord Management Company, the company associated with him, told CNN, “He sends his regards to everyone and will address inquiries when he regains proper means of communication.”

Belarusian officials stated to the network that they lacked information about Prigozhin’s status in Belarus and could not verify whether he had already entered the country.

Regarding Prigozhin’s departure, McFaul stated, “I don’t think he will go quietly. I don’t believe he is going there to retire.”

Regardless of Prigozhin’s next moves, experts argue that the mutiny has dealt a significant blow to Putin’s credibility.

“Putin branded these individuals as traitors. Four hours later, he was negotiating with them,” McFaul commented. “We still don’t know the specifics of that negotiation, but it portrays Putin as very weak.”

Phillips O’Brien, a strategic studies professor at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, remarked to The Associated Press that it would be challenging to restore unquestioned belief in Putin’s regime, saying, “It is hard to envision the doubts ever being fully contained again.”

Referring to Putin’s authoritarian government, O’Brien described the incident as an “extreme humiliation” for a dictatorship built on the premise of unchallenged power, adding, “So while Prigozhin may have suffered a setback in the short term, Putin is likely to be the ultimate loser in the long run.”

The former ally of Putin initiated his rebellion following what he alleged were attacks by Russian soldiers on his mercenaries’ encampments in Ukraine on Friday.

Prigozhin claimed that General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s General Staff, had ordered the assaults on his personnel, employing rockets, helicopter gunships, and artillery, after coordinating with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to eliminate his group.

Russia’s Defense Ministry refuted these allegations.

McFaul highlighted that the brief revolt could offer temporary relief to Ukrainian forces. He argued that the uprising, coupled with dwindling morale among Russian troops, might present an opportunity for Kyiv’s counteroffensive to gain traction.

“Putin will fight for as long as possible,” McFaul asserted. “This incident won’t alter that.”

{Matzav.com}