- Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner Group chief, suspected to be dead or detained after an attempted rebellion against the Kremlin.
- Last month, Prigozhin had ordered his troops to advance on Moscow following disputes over Ukraine war strategies.
- Despite the Kremlin's claims of a meeting between Prigozhin and Putin, there is speculation that the warlord may not be alive.
Disappearance Sparks Speculation
In a mystery that has gripped international observers, Russia's top mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, is suspected to be either dead or incarcerated after leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the Kremlin regime, a retired senior US military leader proposed.
Last month, amidst an ongoing disagreement with Russia's high-ranking military officials regarding the strategy in the Ukraine war, Prigozhin instructed his soldiers to march on Moscow.
Doubt Over Official Claims
The Kremlin proclaimed that President Vladimir Putin had met Prigozhin five days after he stood down his troops. However, the mercenary leader has not been seen in public since, leading to doubt over the veracity of the Kremlin's claim.
"I'd be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think it's highly staged," said retired General Robert Abrams in an interview with ABC News, raising questions about Prigozhin's existence and whereabouts.
Rebellion and Aftermath
Prigozhin's move, viewed as a potential successor to Putin by some within Russia, temporarily threw the nation into turmoil. On 24 June, Prigozhin asserted control over all of Russia's military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, following an accusation that a rocket attack initiated by the military leadership resulted in the death of his forces.
The situation triggered a significant security response in Moscow, resulting in anti-terrorism measures, additional road checks, and alleged sightings of military vehicles on the streets.
Following the rebellion, Russia's FSB Security Service opened a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of "calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation." However, the rebellion was soon called off by Prigozhin to avoid further "bloodshed," and charges against him were subsequently dropped.
Where is Prigozhin?
In the aftermath of the rebellion, speculation about Prigozhin's location has been rampant. The Kremlin suggested that as a form of punishment, Prigozhin might be exiled to Belarus. Despite this, neither Russia nor Belarus has confirmed Prigozhin's whereabouts.
Most recently, Russia's defense ministry announced the Wagner Group's ongoing handover of its weapons to the military. This move appears to signal the dissolution of the mercenary group’s operations on the Ukrainian battlefield, marking the end of a dramatic chapter in Russia's military narrative.