Kremlin denies Putin has fled Moscow as Russia president’s plane ‘disappears’
IndependentMAY 2023
Wagner's revolt has exposed the fragility of Vladimir Putin's rule. It represents the most significant challenge to the Russian president in his over two decades in power. The mutiny also exposes vulnerabilities among Russian forces, with the country's military scrambling to defend the capital from the Wagner troops swiftly advancing toward Moscow. While Russia claims the rebellion will not impact its ongoing war with Ukraine, the chaos opens a window of opportunity for Kyiv to step up its counter-offensive.
The mutiny is a stab in the back to the Russian forces and citizens in the middle of a Ukrainian counter-offensive. Using false accusations to justify his revolt, Prigozhin tried to divide the country and start a civil war. The Wagner chief played into the hands of the Western countries to destabilize Russia and undermine Putin's efforts to ensure international peace. External enemies must be ready to face repercussions if they try to use Russia's internal situation to achieve their Russophobic aims, meanwhile, the Kremlin is handling this situation appropriately.
Prigozhin's stunt is a ridiculous attempt at mutiny ever, which is why the West must be wary of the so-called direct challenge to Putin's authority. Stripping the Wagner head of control and sending him to Belarus could be a ploy to wield power across the border. Ukraine should move cautiously against a possible attack on its soil from Belarus, as Russia may use Prigozhin to change the war's course. There is a lot going on behind the scenes.