Speculation about the situation with Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner’s group comes as the details of the deal between the rebels and Russian officials are still being worked out, the Institute for War Research said. Russian sources unofficially report a purge in the Russian army.
In a recent report, the Internal Affairs Agency analyzed several unofficial reports on the fate of Prigozhin and his mercenaries, saying “certain aspects of the deal can still be determined.” Analysts cite unofficial sources, among others, that Prigozhin’s plane flew from Belarus to Moscow and then to St. Petersburg on Tuesday, and that he will continue to hold talks with officials in Russia.
In the absence of clear information about the arrangements between Prigozhin and the Kremlin, speculation is rife, including the transfer of some mercenaries to Belarus and the construction of a new military facility near Osipovich, the Internal Affairs Agency notes. Although it is not known whether the facility is associated with the Wagner Group, it has been indicated by satellite photographs. However, HEI points out that the authenticity of this information cannot be verified.
Purge in the Russian Army?
Russian sources abound in speculation about a “massive purge” of the army’s command structures as a result of Prigozhin’s rebellion. There were unofficial reports of the arrest of General Sergei Churovykin, considered close to Prigozhin, as well as command changes at the frontline in Ukraine and the punishment of military personnel who did not act decisively in the uprising. And in such cases, HEI notes that it is unable to verify this information.
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