Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the infamous Russian Wagner mercenary group, has surfaced in Belarus three days after the conclusion of a 24-hour uprising just south of Moscow, according to Belarus' leader, Alexander Lukashenko.
Confirming Prigozhin's arrival in Belarus, Lukashenko took pride in facilitating his asylum. Prigozhin's location had been unknown since footage captured him departing southern Russia last Saturday.
His private aircraft was recorded landing in Minsk, the Belarusian capital, on Tuesday.
Lukashenko stated that Wagner mercenaries were offered a deserted military base, should they wish to join their leader in Belarus.
The agreement that concluded the uprising guarantees Prigozhin's safety and abandons the Russian legal proceedings against Wagner. Moscow is preparing to integrate the mercenaries' heavy artillery into the regular military. The fighters have been given the choice to join the regular army, return home, or relocate to Belarus.
Nearby NATO members Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania have expressed concern over Wagner's presence in Belarus, suggesting it might lead to destabilization and risk their security as neighboring countries. They fear the mercenaries could engage in sabotage and infiltration activities.
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda stated at a press conference that a potential Wagner deployment in Belarus would escalate the threat of instability for neighboring nations.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that the alliance was prepared to defend against any danger emanating from "Moscow or Minsk" and plans to bolster its defense at a meeting in Lithuania next week, particularly focusing on countries adjacent to Belarus.
Amidst this turmoil, Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, according to President Putin, who claimed that these weapons would only be used if Russian territory was threatened.
The Belarusian populace is reportedly deeply unsettled by these developments, including Prigozhin's presence in the country.
However, Lukashenko hinted that the Wagnerites could assist the Belarusian military by imparting their knowledge of tactics and weaponry.
The ease with which the mutineers managed to seize control of Rostov-on-Don and drive northwards without significant resistance raises questions about the effectiveness of Kremlin's security control after 23 years of Putin's rule.
In a surprising revelation, Putin disclosed that Prigozhin's private army was fully state-funded, with $1bn allocated for salaries and bonuses over the last 12 months. An additional $1bn went to Prigozhin's Concord catering company for providing meals to the military.
Despite a series of shocking events, Putin maintained that his grip on power remained firm.
Unverified reports suggest the mutineers shot down six military helicopters and an Ilyushin 22-M command-and-control plane. Casualties are yet unknown.
The turmoil's conclusion is obscured by contradicting narratives. However, Lukashenko shared his version of events on Tuesday. He claimed that he dissuaded Putin from eliminating Prigozhin, and instead offered to contact him directly.
Lukashenko detailed a conversation with Prigozhin, describing the mercenary leader's state of elation due to Wagner's achievements up to that point. He warned Prigozhin of the impending dangers if Wagner continued its course to Moscow.
Russian scholar Mark Galeotti suggested that Lukashenko's mediation may have provided Putin with an opportunity to manage Prigozhin and his mercenary forces in Africa.
As this crisis threatens to weaken Putin, Belarusians are assessing how this could impact Lukashenko's rule. The weakening of the Kremlin could spell good news for Belarus in the long term, according to Katia Glod.