What stale purgatory is this? Over the weekend, a surreal event occurred in the ongoing conflict between Putin and Ukraine. The Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had been fighting on behalf of Putin, attempted to carry out a coup d’état. “Protect your flank,” I suppose does not apply to internal attacks.
Who is Prigozhin?
Prigozhin, 62, is a convict who served a 13-year sentence for robbery and assault, according to an independent Russian publication. The oligarch co-founded the Wagner Group a decade ago, as a mercenary army-for-hire, in the style of Erik Prince’s Blackwater group. In 2014, Wagner led the invasion of Crimea. He financed the Internet Research Agency, a Russian “troll farm” that was blamed for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election which helped elect Donald Trump, a claim Prigozhin has admitted to. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation confirmed his interference which resulted in federal charges filed against him in 2018. Prigozhin is on the FBI’s Wanted List.
Moscow has used the Wagner Group through the years, and they are linked to Russian military efforts in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Mali, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic.
Video shows six Russian helicopters and a military jet, shot down. Footage also showed an oil depot in Voronezh, engulfed in flames.
https://apnews.com/article/9acbdf1eda849692ca0423a4116058d1
Prigozhen’s military vehicles sped through the streets toward Moscow, where they were met with joyful waves by the Russian people, and indifference by the military, and Kremlin guards. Wagner took Moscow, I imagine, the way Putin expected to take Kyiv– in three days sixteen months ago.
The Wagner group quickly made their way to the Kremlin as conflicting reports said Putin, and other high ranking officials, fled. These reports were denied. An angry Putin spoke to his nation calling Prigozhin a traitor.
Conjecture on what sparked the drama ranged from Prigozhin’s ammunition requests ignored, power struggles Russian military leaders, to Putin’s failure to pay the mercenaries.
With the same dexterity he arrived, Prigozhin executed an about face. His army of 25,000, turned tail and marched out of Russia. Their destination is unclear: Belarus, where they can launch a direct attack on Kiev from the north, Turkey, where they can avoid windows, stairs, and Russian tea, or Ukraine, who knows where is what and how.
The Kremlin says Prigozhin accepted accepted a peace deal on Saturday. Others report their departure was due to threats on his family. Propaganda news says neither Prigozhin nor his troops will face charges after initially ordering them to march toward Moscow in a “march of justice.” History says he will meet an untimely death.
Russia-Ukraine War: Russian Generals Accuse Mercenary Leader of Trying to Mount a Coup
Weak willed Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, has been propped up as a mediator in peace talks. Take that news with a grain of salt. Lukashenko was installed by Putin after losing his election. His government is accused of human rights violations, persecution of non-governmental organisations, independent journalists, national minorities, and opposition politicians.
One month ago reports were that Lukashenko had been poisoned and was at deaths door. Putin had been enraged at his refusal to give Russian military access to its border with Ukraine which would make an attack from the North possible.
https://apple.news/AUYZrbniaSB6HFmFI_1ebmA
The Solution
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We are not alone in our struggle against oppression. The problem is global. Knowledge is power. Get your information from a wide range of credible sources. And vote in every election.
A lot from Lydia 
Strangest darn thing, wasn’t it? One hundred and twenty miles from Moscow and they go, “Nah. We changed our mind.” What in the heck was that all about? So Prigozhin is a hero and Putin is weak? I’d say neither one came out smelling like a champ.
Good info, Lydia.
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I read his family was threatened. Those wacky mercenaries should have moved their families first. Who knows. He should avoid windows for a while.
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The whole thing seemed, and still seems, a bit fishy, stinky old dead rotten fishy to be clear.
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Yes, I smell it too.
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