The Russian people are expecting a major crackdown following the uprising led by mercenary army commander Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner group, thinks Russia expert Michel Krielaars. “Putin has to find out who is loyal and until he has clarity on this, he will go into hiding.”
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In Cabinet Perestroy, Krielaars says last weekend’s events deeply affected Russian President Vladimir Putin. “You could see the anger and disappointment dripping off his face.” After a big demonstration in 2012, Putin fought back harshly. Opposition parties were “more or less banned,” as were NGOs that Putin said were negative about Russian history, and many people went to jail. “He tightened the thumbscrews quite a bit,” says Krielaars, who now expects the same reaction from Putin.
“You saw anger and disappointment dripping from Putin’s face.”
It is not yet clear where the Russian leader is now, only that he has left Moscow. According to Krielaars, Putin’s court only dares to bring him positive news, out of fear of his anger. “Probably it happened now, because from that anger it was clear that he did not expect this from Prigozhin.”
Where is Prigozhin?
Prigozhin hasn’t been heard from for a while, but an audio message came out today stating that he is in Belarus. According to Krielaars, it’s also possible that Prigozhin is around and has been granted a free pass as long as he starts fighting again. “Because he can do something many generals in the field can’t do: persevere and kill without mercy.”
“Prigozhin can do something many generals in the field cannot: persevere and kill without mercy.”
According to Krielaars, mercenaries from the Wagner group will want to continue fighting in Ukraine. Firstly because of their good pay, but secondly because this mercenary army is made up of “free Filipinos who love to go to war”. Few of them will accept Putin’s invitation to join the Russian army. “Because then they all have to obey orders that don’t make sense and that put them in danger.”
Palace shot
What this uprising and the disappointing course of the war will mean for Putin’s future is uncertain. According to Krielaars, a pension for Russia’s strongman is unlikely. According to the Russian expert, he is waiting for hard-core people from the army and intelligence services to ‘thank Putin for 23 years of service’ and give him the choice: ‘go to Dubai or we’ll kill you’.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
