Russian Wagner mercenaries return to base after rebellion, leader Prigozhin’s whereabouts unclear
- Russia retreats from the brink after armed mutiny against Putin by mercenary force
- China’s foreign ministry said the ‘Wagner Group incident’ is an internal affair for Russia
04:19
Russia revolt ends in Wagner leader’s exile but leaves questions about Putin’s authority
Wagner mercenaries were returning to base on Sunday as their mutinous leader agreed to go into exile under a deal that defused an unprecedented challenge to the authority of President Vladimir Putin.
Under the deal, mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Wagner fighters would return to base in return for guarantees for their safety and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, would move to Belarus.
The agreement appears to end the immediate threat that Prigozhin’s private army could storm Moscow, but raises big questions about Putin’s grip on a country he has ruled with an iron hand for more than two decades.
Security measures imposed under an “anti-terrorism operation” were still in place in Moscow on Sunday, and Prigozhin’s exact whereabouts were unclear.
The mercenary group’s forces left Rostov-on-Don and were heading to their field camps, regional Governor Vasily Golubev said early Sunday. Regional officials in the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions also reported that Wagner troops had left their territories.