Wagner Group Halts Advance Towards Moscow
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is halting the mercenary group’s advance to Moscow and returning his forces to Ukraine.
The Details: The Wagner convoy had gotten within 200 km of Moscow before Prigozhin announced the decision to retreat, claiming he wanted to avoid “shedding Russian blood.” According to the office of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, a deal was brokered between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin via Lukashenko. It reportedly includes security guarantees for Wagner Group as well as the firing of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
For Context: On Friday Night, Prigozhin declared war on the Kremlin, announcing that his troops were headed to Moscow on a “march for justice.” A Wagner military column exited Ukraine, and traveled through Rostov-on-Don, on its way to Moscow where alleged Russian forces and civilians prepared for the defense of the city. Videos surfaced online showing alleged Russian air forces being shot down by Wagner Group mercenaries. The events are the latest in a series of growing tensions between Prigozhin and the Kremlin.
Key Quotes: Prigozhin said, “We are turning our columns around and going back to field camps.” Lukashenko’s office said, “...the sides agreed that it is unacceptable to start a bloodbath in Russia’s territory. Yevgeny Prigozhin accepted Aleksandr Lukashenko’s proposal on stopping the advance of Wagner’s armed units in Russia’s territory and on further steps meant to deescalate tensions.”
How The Media Covered It: This story is still developing. Sources across the spectrum covered the news similarly.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Prigozhin calls off march on Moscow, orders troops to return to base.
Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Saturday he has ordered his fighters to halt their march on Moscow and return to their bases in Ukraine to avoid bloodshed.
Prigozhin's announcement seemingly puts an end to what observers called the most significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime in his 23 years in power.
In audio posted to social media, Prigozhin said that while his troops were just 120 miles from Moscow, he chose to turn back to avoid "shedding Russian blood."
The Associated Press reports he didn’t say whether Moscow has responded...
From the Center
Rebel Russian mercenaries turn back short of Moscow 'to avoid bloodshed'
Mutinous Russian mercenaries who surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader said on Saturday, in a de-escalation of what had become a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power.
The fighters of the Wagner private army were just 200 km (125 miles) from the capital, said the leader, former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin. The rebels had captured the city of Rostov hundreds of miles to the south before racing across the country.
From the Left
Wagner chief says he ordered his Russian mercenaries to halt march on Moscow and return to Ukraine
The head of the private Russian military force Wagner said Saturday he has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to their field camps in Ukraine to avoid shedding Russian blood.
The announcement from Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to defuse a dramatically escalating crisis that represented the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership in his more than two decades in power.
Moscow had braced for the arrival of a private army led by the rebellious mercenary commander by erecting checkpoints with armored vehicles and troops...
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