Putin vs. Prigozhin: Russian Mercenary Chief’s Bold Refusal Sparks Speculation of Putin’s Downfall

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mutinous Russian mercenary chief, made it clear on Saturday that he and his men would not surrender as directed by President Vladimir Putin.

Prigozhin’s private army had taken control of a southern city to remove the military leadership, prompting Putin to vow the crushing of what he termed an armed mutiny.

Challenging Putin’s accusations of treason, Prigozhin emphasized his loyalty to the motherland and stated, “We are patriots of our motherland, we fought and are fighting for it.” In an audio message, he firmly stated that nobody among his ranks would comply with orders to turn themselves in, whether from the president, the FSB (security service), or any other authority.

Prigozhin justified their stance by expressing their desire to put an end to corruption, deceit, and bureaucracy that plague the nation.

Last September, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military group known as the Wagner Group, admitted to its establishment in 2014, coinciding with Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. This admission contradicted his previous denials, which led to lawsuits against journalists who had reported on the connection. The Wagner Group has been involved in combat operations in various countries such as Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, and Mali.

Furthermore, the group provided support to Russia-backed separatists who seized a portion of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in 2014, exacerbating the conflict in the area. In recent events, the Wagner Group’s actions gained attention when they captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, engaging in intense and brutal fighting. During this episode, Prigozhin openly defied the norms of Putin’s tightly controlled political system by launching foul-mouthed insults against Moscow’s top military leadership.

Prigozhin expressed gratitude to the Kremlin in a subsequent video, while simultaneously launching into his customary tirade against alleged treachery committed by Putin’s key military figures, notably Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff

As the leader of the Wagner Group, he has successfully recruited thousands of Russian prisoners to join their ranks, solidifying his role as a prominent player in the conflict.

This bold declaration sets the stage for a tense standoff between Prigozhin’s renegade forces and the determined leadership of President Putin.