Russia-Ukraine Live Updates Wagner Private Mercenaries Withdraw from Southern Military District Headquarters and Return to Base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Live Updates: Mercenaries Return Following Wagner Chief’s Order to Cease Mutiny.
The recent events involving Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private mercenary group, have sparked questions about President Putin’s authority. The situation started on June 24, 2023, when armed Russian mercenaries, who had advanced towards Moscow, halted their march on Prigozhin’s orders.
A Challenge to President Putin’s Authority
This decision diffused a major challenge to President Putin’s authority. In response, the Kremlin announced that all charges against Prigozhin would be dropped, and his soldiers would not face prosecution.
According to Reuters, Prigozhin stated that he made this decision to prevent bloodshed. On Saturday, Prigozhin disclosed that his forces had come within 125 miles of Moscow, causing the Kremlin to deploy troops in anticipation of their arrival and ask residents to stay indoors.
Still, the mercenaries eventually withdrew from the seized Rostov military headquarters, and Prigozhin said that he would relocate to neighbouring Belarus instead of facing prosecution.
What led to this dramatic event?
The conflict between Moscow’s military leadership and Prigozhin escalated into an overt rebellion after an airstrike on one of the Wagner group’s camps caused significant casualties among his mercenaries.
As a result, security forces were deployed throughout western Russia, regional governors urged residents to avoid travelling, and a “counterterrorist operation regime” was imposed in Moscow.
The situation has raised questions about President Putin’s authority, and people are following Russia-Ukraine live updates to see how events will unfold. This incident also highlights the rising influence of private military companies like Wagner in Russia and their impact on the country’s geopolitical landscape.
