The Wagner Group halted its march to Moscow Saturday after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal between the group and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary group, said he agreed to back off his “March for Justice” to Moscow after Lukashenko brokered a settlement with Putin that included security guarantees for Prigozhin and his personnel, according to the Associated Press. The Wagner Group had approached to within 120 miles of Moscow, Fox News reported.
Personnel from the Wagner Group previously had occupied Russian military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, a city about 650 miles from Moscow, the AP reported.
Wagner Group forces entered Lipetsk, 225 miles south of Russia, early Saturday, according to another AP report.
Video posted on social media Saturday showed Wagner Group personnel leaving Rostov-on-Don. Multiple analysts said the situation was a blow to Putin.
In the news: Russian President Vladimir Putin Vows To Crush Mercenaries As They Make Their Way To Moscow
“Putin immeasurably weakened,” retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey posted on Twitter. “Makes him very desperate. Dangerous.” McCaffrey also predicted that Prigozhin would be killed within the next 90 days.
Russian forces loyal to Putin had erected checkpoints and positioned soldiers and armored vehicles on the southern parts of the Russian capital as the mercenary army grew closer, the AP reported.
The Wagner Group is a private military company that has aided Russian forces in Ukraine, notably during the capture of Bakhmut, and has also operated in the Middle East and Africa, according to the BBC.
The AP reported that Prigozhin started the march to force the firing of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.