Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the rebellious Wagner mercenary group, is presumed to be either deceased or imprisoned, and a former high-ranking US military official suggests that his highly publicized meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the failed uprising may have been fabricated. Retired Gen. Robert Abrams, who previously commanded US Forces Korea and now serves as an ABC News contributor, shared his perspective on Prigozhin’s uncertain fate in the aftermath of the short-lived armed insurrection by the Wagner Group last month.
Abrams expressed doubts about Prigozhin’s future public appearances, stating, “Personally, I find it unlikely that we will ever see Prigozhin in the public eye again. It is my belief that he will either go into hiding, be imprisoned, or face some other form of undisclosed consequences, but I highly doubt we will witness his reappearance.”
When asked about Prigozhin’s survival following his significant challenge to Putin’s regime, Abrams remarked, “In my opinion, I don’t believe he is alive, and if he is, he is likely incarcerated in some undisclosed prison.”
The retired four-star general also cast doubt on the meeting between Putin and Prigozhin, which, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, took place on June 29, five days after the failed mutiny. “I would be surprised if there is concrete evidence of Putin meeting with Prigozhin, and I believe it is highly likely that the meeting was staged,” Abrams expressed.
Peskov stated on Monday that Putin had invited 35 individuals, including Prigozhin, to the meeting, which lasted for three hours. The French newspaper Liberation reported that other senior officials from Putin’s administration, such as Viktor Zolotov, the head of the national guard, and Sergei Naryshkin, the SVR Foreign Intelligence boss, were also in attendance.
According to Peskov, Putin provided his “assessment” of the Wagner Group’s actions during the Ukraine war, particularly their involvement in the fierce battle to capture the city of Bakhmut, as well as the events of the June 24 mutiny. Peskov also mentioned that Putin listened to the commanders’ explanations and presented them with options for future employment and continued engagement in combat.
Prigozhin, aged 62, who had been engaged in a public dispute with top Russian military figures, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, regarding their management of the war in Ukraine, led his fighters in a rebellion that resulted in the capture of Rostov-on-Don. However, he swiftly reversed his decision to march toward Moscow after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a truce between Prigozhin and the Kremlin.
According to the agreement, Prigozhin would avoid charges of treason if he agreed to go into exile in Belarus. However, Lukashenko stated last week that Prigozhin had returned to Russia. Flight tracking data revealed that one of Prigozhin’s private jets had made multiple trips between Belarus and Russia in the days following the uprising.
Reports indicate that Prigozhin was seen at the FSB office in Saint Petersburg last week, where he supposedly retrieved his confiscated arsenal of weapons during a raid on his mansion. Around the same time, he released an audio message expressing gratitude to those who supported the Wagner Group’s failed mutiny, which he claimed aimed to combat traitors and mobilize Russian society.
The current whereabouts and future plans of Prigozhin remain unknown. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently remarked that Prigozhin’s failed coup attempt has made him a target. “I wouldn’t bet on his life… Prigozhin clearly took a risk. If you’re going to challenge the king, don’t do it half-heartedly. He did, and he failed,” Pompeo stated during an interview on WABC 770 AM radio’s “Cats Roundtable” show with host John Catsimatidis.
{Matzav.com}
did Belarus leader give him over to Putin????
“during an interview on WABC 770 AM radio’s “Cats Roundtable” show with host John Catsimatidis.”
Mr. Catsimatidis is a big fool for building his monster “luxury” building on Surf Avenue right outside of Seagate. The neighborhood is a completely run-down decrepit, filled with poor housing complex’s. It is not safe to walk outside after sundown. You have dangerous blacks blowing weed right across the street in that playground park. Cats thought he’s so smart by naming his building “Ocean Drive” as if to fool the people. He’s such an idiot. No respectable rich white person is going to purchase, let alone rent, in his building. He had big plans to put one of his D’Agostino Supermarkets downstairs. Such an idiot. He realized, too late, that only the black dregs of society live in that neighborhood and the only people coming into that store would be there to shoplift. Not every wealthy white man is so smart. John Catsimatidis is a perfect example of that. For shame.
Condemn Israel at the U.N. Call for a Security Council emergency meeting immediately! Bring Israel up on charges of war crimes at the Hague!