Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin moves to Belarus. The move is part of an agreement between the Kremlin and Prigozhin previously negotiated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. This ended the armed insurrection of Prigozhin’s Wagner Group against the Russian army command.

In addition to what appears to be an exile to Belarus at first glance, it was also agreed that Prigozhin would not be prosecuted for rebellion. The same goes for the soldiers who participated in the mutiny. “We have always respected their heroism at the front,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

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bloodshed

Earlier today, President Putin vowed to punish rebellious Wagner soldiers. According to Peskov, this was conceded to avoid confrontation and further bloodshed.

Wagner soldiers who did not participate would sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry offering a voluntary option to join the Russian army.

It is said that Prigozhin, in turn, demanded that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov be handed over to him. Asked if there would be any personnel changes in the Russian Defense Ministry as a result of the agreement, Peskov said, “These matters are the exclusive prerogative of the Supreme Commander,” referring to President Putin.

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No consequences

Peskov went on to say that Lukashenko offered to mediate because he had known Prigozhin personally for some 20 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed. According to the Kremlin, Wagner’s rebellion “will not in any way affect” the struggle in Ukraine.