Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin emerges from exile to thank ‘March of Justice’ supporters, promise ‘victories’
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin emerged Monday more than a week after his mercenary group’s failed rebellion against the Russian government to express gratitude for those who supported his group’s mission.
Prigozhin thanked those who supported the group’s failed uprising in an audio message shared to Telegram, noting that their “March of Justice” was “aimed at fighting traitors and mobilizing our society.”
“In the near future, I am sure that you will see our next victories at the front. Thanks guys!” he said.
Late last month Prigozhin concocted a plan to capture Russia’s top military officials, ordering his mercenary group to march from Ukraine into Russia during a visit to the region near Ukraine’s border.
Two days before the visit Russia’s Federal Security Service discovered Prigozhin’s plot, prompting him to send a few thousand Wagner fighters toward Moscow.
Prigozhin called off his private army about 120 miles south of the capital after reaching an agreement with Russia that would drop charges against him for leading an armed rebellion if he relocated to Belarus.
The now-exiled leader apparently has a target on his back, according to a top Ukrainian spy, who has said Russian authorities are currently scheming to assassinate Prigozhin.
Over the weekend, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated the sentiment that his failed scheme makes him an easy target for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I wouldn’t insure his life…Prigozhin clearly took a chance. If you’re going to take on the king, don’t do it with a Nerf bat. He did. It failed,” Pompeo said on WABC 770 AM radio’s “Cats Roundtable” show with host John Catsimatidis.
“And he is not likely to find grace from Vladimir Putin again. Whether that ends up with him drinking some bad tea, or just permanently in exile, it’s hard to know.”
Ukraine’s spy agency claims the Russian Federal Security Service has been tasked with assassinating the now-exiled leader of the mercenary group, although the plan may not be carried out immediately.
Prigozhin is exiled in Belarus.
