Is this the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin

Ranjit Kumar

On June 24, Yevgeny Prigogine, the head of Russia’s private army Wagner Group, sounded the bugle of rebellion against Russia’s military leadership, it seemed that a tsunami was about to come in Russian politics. But it remained confined to the tornado. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has come out of this whirlwind, the question has definitely arisen on his political future.

• Their position is weaker than before and it will certainly have an adverse effect on their morale.
• This will further strengthen the resolve of Ukraine and their supporting countries to continue the fight against Russia, as it is now recognized that Putin cannot hold on to power much longer.

where did bhasmasur come from

What about Putin, no Russian would have thought that in Russia, apart from the top leaders of the ruling party or the commanders of the army, any outside group could attack such a Kremlin to grab power. Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has clearly said, ‘This is the beginning of the end of Russian President Putin.’ It is clear that this episode has taken a toll on Putin’s personal reputation within his country and will inspire other leaders or military generals with plans to rule Russia to intensify their power-grabbing plot.

Even Putin must be finding it difficult to digest the fact that the head of the private army he raised in 2014 to retain his power suddenly behaved like Bhasmasur and usurped the chair of his mentor. . However, according to reports, Belarus President Lukashenko convinced Prigozhin to withdraw from the battle, but the fact is that Prigozhin was well aware that there would be heavy fire from both sides during the assault on Moscow and the Russian army would not be able to take any action. Will defeat Wagner’s army at any cost. It is also difficult to say how long Putin will honor the agreement to spare Prigozhin’s life. However, it may be interesting to take a look at Prigozhin’s past with Putin.

• After serving 12 years in prison for robbery, Prigogine opened a coffee-restaurant in St. Petersburg.
• The then deputy mayor Vladimir Putin often visited there. Since then the talk of friendship between the two was established.
• With the inspiration of friend Putin, Prigogine later ventured into the media business as well.
• With his blessings, Prigogine opened a security company, which set foot in the country and abroad.
• Putin used Wagner Company soldiers and agents as non-state actors, including interference in the 2016 US election. Wagner was also active in Africa and West Asian countries.
• Prigogine has no political views. He is not even very educated.

Naturally, it is a matter of concern for the US and the West that if an idiosyncratic leader like Prigogine comes to power in Russia, how would he behave with other world leaders as the manager of a huge nuclear and missile power.

There are about 50 thousand soldiers in Wagner’s private army, out of which about 25 thousand were sent to fight in Ukraine. Wagner persuaded sentenced prisoners in Russian prisons to go inside Ukraine by promising them amnesty. Prigogine alleged that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Army Chief Valery Gerasomov had prevented Wagner’s troops from receiving ammunition and other supplies on time during the fighting in Ukraine. This resulted in the death of about ten thousand Wagner soldiers. Prigogine also alleged discrimination between Wagner and the soldiers of the government army. Prigogine also raised questions on Russian military action in Ukraine. Without directly mentioning Putin, Prigogine targeted him and also indirectly threatened to oust him from power. On the morning of June 24, their commanders marched towards Moscow with a huge convoy of 25,000 soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Whatever the reason, Prigogine intercepted the convoy of rebel militias riding on tanks and armored vehicles 200 kilometers from Moscow, giving President Putin a chance to breathe. But this matter cannot be considered to end here.

difficulties ahead

Putin will feel more insecure after this incident. It is quite possible that he may choose to play the hide of nationalistic sentiments and thus protect his political survival while further increasing tensions with the US and European countries. But if this happens, then the dissatisfaction among fellow leaders and military commanders will increase further. This may also have an adverse effect on the morale of Russian military commanders conducting military attacks against Ukraine. The Ukrainian army will also benefit from differences between the Russian and Wagner troops stationed inside Ukraine.

It is clear that Putin’s road ahead is not easy. Prigogine may have tried unsuccessfully to overthrow the Russian President, but it will definitely boost the morale of the political and military leadership of Ukraine.