Russia’s Federal Security Service has dropped criminal charges against Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group for the mercenary’s short-lived revolt in the country over the weekend.
The Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, that its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny “ceased activities directed at committing the crime,” so the case would not be pursued.
The penalty for organizing an armed revolt is up to 20 years in prison. The fact that Prigozhin avoided punishment stands in stark contrast to how the Kremlin has handled individuals organizing protests against the Russian government.
Numerous opposition figures in Russia have been given lengthy prison sentences and are currently incarcerated in colonies known for their brutal living conditions.
On Tuesday, Prigozhin’s whereabouts were still unknown. The Kremlin has said he would be exiled to neighboring Belarus, but neither he nor the Belarusian authorities have confirmed that.
Also, Russia’s defense ministry disclosed that the Wagner Group is preparing to hand over all its equipment after attempting to launch a revolt in the country over the weekend.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry noted, “Preparations are underway for the transfer of PMC ‘Wagner’ heavy military equipment to the active units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War has noted that the break between President Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin, caused by the Wagner rebellion, is likely beyond repair.
Putin Lauds Military For “Stopping A Civil War”
Also on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the country’s military and law enforcements for “stopping a civil war”, alluding to the Wagner group’s mutiny over the weekend.
“The army and people were not on the side of the mutineers,” Putin said.
Addressing military officers assembled in a square inside the Kremlin complex in the presence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin held a minute’s silence to honour the Russian soldiers who had died in an effort to defend the country during the uprising.
The Russian President added that Moscow was also not forced to withdraw its troops from “the special military operation in Ukraine”, to help in de-escalating the mutiny in Russia.
In a speech on Monday night, which was also his first public appearance after the Wagner rebellion, Putin stated that Russian soldiers were killed while trying to defend the country during the Wagner Group’s short-lived uprising over the weekend.
“The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences,” Putin said.
There has been no official information about how many pilots died or how many aircraft were shot down.
In other developments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia still sees no grounds for peace talks with Ukraine.
Commenting on a German media report that talks could begin in July, Peskov remarked that at the moment, there are no signs of any of the prerequisites needed for such talks to take place.
Kyiv has said it will not negotiate with Moscow until the last Russian soldier has left Ukraine.
