Russia: Here’s all you need to know about Wagner’s Rebellion

John Opara Leading Stories 24/06/2023

The internal conflict between Moscow’s military leadership and Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the leader of the private mercenary group ‘Wagner‘ as come as a shock to most observers.

What did Wagner Group Leader do?

Prigozhin released an explosive statement on Friday declaring an open insurrection and then marching his troops into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, which has now plunged Russia into uncertainty and the very real threat of civil war.

What was President Putins Response?

Russian president Vladimir Putin called Wagner’s actions “treason” and has vowed to punish those behind the “armed uprising”.

Putin said “any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood for us as a nation; it is a blow to Russia for our people and our actions to protect our homeland. Such a threat will face a severe response.”

What does the Wagner Group do?

Russia calls Wagner a “private military company” but U.S. officials label it a proxy force.

According to US Defense, Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place in Bakhmut.

Wagner Group also operates Worldwide and in Africa playing a part in the civil conflict in Libya where Russia sent its military equipment including fighter aircraft and armored vehicles, so that it could get a foothold in the country, the U.S. Department of Defense said in 2020.

What’s Next?

No one can predict where this is leading but a lot of observers would be hoping that the dramatic events coming out of Russia can help bring peace in Ukraine.

However, President Putin’s national address indicates a direct confrontation at the heart of Russia’s establishment at a time when Ukraine is hoping to make advances during its own summer offensive.

Putin likened what he now faces to the Russian Revolution in 1917, when the Bolsheviks overthrew Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in the midst of World War One, plunging the country into civil war and eventually paving the way for the creation of the Soviet Union.