Wagner chief Prigozhin has left Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in a news conference Thursday that the chief of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is no longer within Belarusian territory. Prigozhin went to Belarus last week after conducting the most significant rebellion against Vladamir Putin’s rule since the Russian president took office. On Thursday, Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin was in St. Petersburg and might have already traveled to Moscow, according to Belarusian state media. The Kremlin has refused to comment on Prigozhin’s location. Whether Prigozhin has permission to travel to Russia to finish his affairs or is in violation of the brokered peace deal remains unclear.

What does this mean for Wagner soldiers? The Wagner troops remain in field camps within Russian territory. In an address on the rebellion, Putin gave Wagner soldiers three choices: swear allegiance to Russia as Russian soldiers, return home, or join their chief in Belarus.

Dig Deeper: Read William Inboden’s column in WORLD Opinions on Prigozhin’s rebellion against Russia.