Following his aborted armed rebellion against the Russian military, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus. Flight tracking data confirmed a jet matching one linked to Prigozhin landed near Minsk on Tuesday, originating from Rostov, the city his forces briefly held. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin's arrival, stating Wagner troops would be allowed temporary stay in Belarus at their own expense. This development follows a Kremlin-brokered deal ensuring Prigozhin's safe passage to Belarus and immunity from prosecution for him and his fighters.
Coinciding with Prigozhin's arrival, Russian authorities announced the closure of the criminal investigation into the Wagner Group's mutiny, choosing not to press charges against any participants. The Federal Security Service stated those involved had ceased activities directly related to the crime. This decision stands in stark contrast to the Kremlin's usual harsh treatment of anti-government protesters.
While President Putin previously labeled the mutineers as traitors, the Kremlin agreed not to prosecute Prigozhin or his troops after they retreated on Saturday. Prigozhin's whereabouts remained undisclosed for three days following his last public appearance on Saturday night in Rostov. In a Monday address, Putin condemned the mutiny leaders without naming Prigozhin directly, and confirmed Wagner fighters could choose to go to Belarus, join the Russian army, or return home.
The mercenary leader, a former Putin ally, had spearheaded Wagner's involvement in key battles during the Ukraine conflict. He claimed the rebellion aimed to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian military leaders. The short-lived mutiny, considered the most significant challenge to Putin's two-decade rule, saw Wagner forces briefly seize control of military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and advance towards Moscow before Prigozhin's abrupt retreat. Prigozhin later stated the move was a protest, not a coup attempt.
Putin acknowledged the death of Russian pilots during the confrontation with Wagner forces and expressed gratitude for the nation's unity. He warned against attempts to destabilize Russia. The Kremlin later released images of Putin meeting with top security officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal Prigozhin had demanded. Prigozhin indicated Belarus had offered legal solutions for Wagner's future operations, but provided no specifics.
