Putin to take control of Wagner fighters after Prigozhin’s death
By Daily Tab24. Updated: Aug 28, 2023. 9:39 am.
The death of Prigozhin two months after his failed mutiny is not a coincidence. Described as “stab in the back of Russia” Putin vowed to deal with Prigozhin – a promise kept after two months. The scenario is not new in Russia, those that oppose or have different view from that of Putin end up being killed or poisoned. Putin has made himself untouchable creature, someone you have no right to even criticize.
The handwriting was clear. Prigozhin turned his focus on Africa, to continue with his mission in the continent after the fallout in Ukraine with Russian military leaders. But as he was in Africa, Putin was reshaping Russian-African military alliances to completely alienate Prigozhin. That was the first pointer that Prigozhin was about to be eliminated, but the warlord didn’t see the handwriting on the wall.
During BRICS meeting in South Africa, Putin sent a delegation to Libya to discuss military issues. Prigozhin was expected to cover Libya for Russia, but the decision to send a delegation for the first time to the same Africa Prigozhin switched his focus underlined intent to rebrand or reshape Russian mission in Africa, an effort that would isolate Prigozhin.
”A delegation from Russia’s defense ministry has arrived in Libya, their first official visit to the country at the invitation of Marshall Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army. The visit takes place alongside this year’s BRICS summit in South Africa, attended by FM Sergei Lavrov where expansion of the group is set to be discussed, with several dozen countries eager to join” a Russia state-controlled media – Russia Today reported on their official Facebook page.
People familiar with the visit said Putin gave a firm directive to FM Sergei Lavrov to communicate to the Libyan National Army Commander the need for a change of command and control of Russian affiliated support. It is believed that change was further to alienate Prigozhin and substitute him for a commander that is directly linked to Putin or Russian regular army.
To further cement his control of Wagner fighters, a private army nurtured and established by Prigozhin, Putin has ordered the fighters of the dead warlord to sign an oath of allegiance to the Russian state. This move is to complement efforts which began after Prigozhin’s failed mutiny. The oath is said to be mandatory and to take immediate effect.
While Putin said the oath is to model a spiritual and moral commitment to the Russian government, in defense of the country, it is actually aimed to completely tame the group and bring them under his control. Putin knows the vacuum the exit of Prigozhin created must be filled or it could lead to further disaster against his government.
A genetic test has finally confirmed the death of Prigozhin. Russian government has denied they murdered the warlord, but it is widely believed his failed mutiny led to his death, and those that dare Putin face the same kind of fate.
Moves to take full control of Wagner private military company is still on the move, more announcements or internal memos to the Wagner fighters are expected in the coming days and weeks. Reacting to the death of Prigozhin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“There is now a great deal of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the plane’s passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin . of course, in the West, all the speculation is presented from well known angle. All of this is an absolute lie, and here, when covering this issue, it is necessary to base yourself on facts. There are not many facts yet. They need to be established in the course of investigative actions” Peskov further said Putin’s statement would be followed to confirm the death of Prigozhin.
“If you listened carefully to the Russian president’s statement, he said that all necessary tests, including genetic tests, will now be carried out. The official results – as soon as they are ready to be published, will be published” he said.
The protocols he outlined has been followed and the death of Prigozhin confirmed by the government. Preparation for his burial will immediately commence while wreaths are being laid for him in St Petersburg.
