Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has stated that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, is currently in Russia and not in Belarus. Lukashenka made this claim during a press conference in Minsk on July 6. He also mentioned that the Wagner fighters remain in the camps where they were stationed before the rebellion that occurred on June 24.
Lukashenka provided no evidence to support his assertion regarding Prigozhin’s whereabouts. Prigozhin’s location has been unknown since his fighters briefly captured a southern Russian city and made a march towards Moscow last month, posing a significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority during his lengthy tenure.
Earlier, on June 27, Lukashenka had stated that Prigozhin was present in Belarus. However, he later facilitated a deal for Prigozhin to resolve the standoff, granting him amnesty and security guarantees for himself and his troops. The agreement allowed Prigozhin and his fighters to relocate to Belarus.
Lukashenka did not disclose the specific locations of the alleged Wagner mercenary camps, but it is known that they had previously fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine before the mutiny. When asked about the potential relocation of Prigozhin and his mercenaries to Belarus, Lukashenka stated that such a decision would depend on Prigozhin and the Russian government.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Moscow is not tracking Prigozhin’s movements. Peskov further mentioned that no date has been set for a meeting between Putin and Lukashenka, and he could not confirm the details of the agenda at this stage.
Russian state TV has launched an attack on Prigozhin, labeling him a “traitor” and accusing him of corruption. A recent report aired on the evening of July 5 showcased law enforcement raids on Prigozhin’s office in St. Petersburg, as well as one of his alleged “palaces.” The footage displayed bundles of cash, gold bars, an arsenal of weapons, and a collection of wigs found in a lavish residence, along with a helicopter supposedly belonging to Prigozhin.
The situation surrounding Prigozhin and the Wagner group continues to evolve, with significant attention being given to his whereabouts and the implications of his actions. The developments highlight the complex dynamics and interests at play in this ongoing saga involving Russian mercenaries and their ties to both Russia and Belarus.
