Wagner Group. The mercenaries went to Moscow, but turned back. Assessment of Vladimir Putin’s actions. Dr. Adam Eberhardt comments

Doctor Eberhardt, commenting on the chaos in connection with the internal situation on TVN24 Russiasaid that it turned out to be “a cardboard state, absolutely much weaker than it seemed” and “the system is rotting”.

He reminded that in Saturday’s address, Putin – when the Wagnerians were still continuing their march on Moscow – “thrown thunder, talked about treason, a coup, a tribunal before which the putschists will be judged.” – Then, after a few hours, he had to withdraw. I have the impression that the myth of a stable, strong Russia has disappeared a bit – he said.

– It turned out that the column going to Moscow caused preparations in Moscow just like for the end of the world. This shows that authoritarian systems are strong as long as they seem strong, he said.

On Friday, the owner of the mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, reported that troops of the regular Russian army had attacked the Wagner camp, resulting in numerous deaths. He announced that he intended to “restore justice” in the armed forces and called for no opposition to him. He then moved on to Moscow with several thousand mercenaries. President of Russia Vladimir Putin he called the Wagnerians traitors and assured that the rebels would be held accountable to the law and the nation, and that Russia would be defended.

On Saturday evening – unexpectedly – Prigozhin announced that he had issued an order to turn back from Moscow. At the same time, Alyaksandr Lukashenko’s offices reported that the Belarusian dictator was the one who, with Putin’s consent, conducted Saturday’s negotiations with Prigozhin. The Kremlin announced that the Wagner Group mercenaries who moved towards Moscow – including their leader – would not be prosecuted, and Prigozhin himself would move to Belarus.

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