Wagner founder and financier Yevgeny Prigozhin has made a notable public appearance in a video released on Wednesday, where he can be seen apparently greeting his fighters in Belarus. The video initially surfaced on pro-Wagner Telegram channels and was subsequently shared by Prigozhin himself on his personal account. While CNN is currently in the process of verifying the authenticity of the video, its significance cannot be understated.
This marks the first time Prigozhin has been observed in public since leading a military uprising just a month ago. The circumstances surrounding the uprising and Prigozhin’s involvement have been shrouded in secrecy, heightening the interest in his reappearance. The existence of the video, if confirmed, raises numerous questions about the current state of affairs within the Wagner organization and Prigozhin’s role within it.
Earlier on the same day, the United Kingdom’s intelligence chief revealed in an interview with CNN that Prigozhin is alive and at liberty. Additionally, the intelligence chief claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was compelled to negotiate an agreement with the Wagner leader to swiftly suppress the short-lived rebellion. This statement further fuels speculation and curiosity regarding the dynamics between Prigozhin, Putin, and the resolution of the uprising.
As the situation continues to develop, the world watches closely to decipher the implications of Prigozhin’s appearance and the subsequent revelations regarding the Wagner organization and its ties to political powers.