In a gripping development, the Wagner Group, a renowned band of mercenaries, is believed to be orchestrating a return to Russia following their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin‘s alleged demise in a plane crash orchestrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What Happened: Hints of retaliation have surged as reports from Ukraine’s resistance center reveal mercenaries dismantling camps and forming convoys, possibly en route to the Russian border, according to a report from the Evening Standard.
Sources indicate that Belarus, where some of Prigozhin’s forces have been stationed, is witnessing the movement of these mysterious convoys.
An unsettling masked man, supposedly from the Wagner Group, has reportedly issued an online threat: “We are getting started, get ready for us.”
These cryptic messages have raised eyebrows about the group’s future intentions.
Interestingly, a Russian news site tied to Prigozhin disclosed a pre-existing mechanism that the Wagner Group employs in the event of his or his key ally Dmitry Utkin’s death.
Utkin is believed to have perished in the same plane crash that allegedly took Prigozhin’s life. This revelation has added an enigmatic layer to the unfolding events.
Why It Matters: The plane crash, located northwest of Moscow, has stirred a whirlwind of intrigue. Speculations about the cause of the crash are rife, with some suggesting the involvement of surface-to-air missiles.
U.S. President Joe Biden‘s assertion that little occurs in Russia without Putin’s knowledge has heightened suspicions. Former MI6 head Sir John Sawers speculates that the Russian leader may have ordered the strike to eliminate potential challenges to his authority, as per the report.
UK’s Ministry of Defense sources suggest Russia’s FSB security service might be behind it.
This report was generated using the help of AI and was edited by a Benzinga editor.
Image via Shutterstock
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