Coup attempt ended abruptly: Did Putin’s secret service threaten Prigozhin’s family?

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The brief coup attempt by the Russian Wagner mercenaries stuns the world. Why the Wagner army retreated so suddenly is still completely unclear.

New information from the British secret service could now shed light on the darkness. For example, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin (62) is said to have broken off his march to the Russian capital Moscow because of threats to his family. This is reported by the British newspaper Telegraph on Monday.

The Russian secret service is said to have seriously threatened the personal environment of the Wagner boss after his advance towards Moscow. Officials allegedly threatened Prigozhin that he would harm his family if he did not stop the coup attempt immediately.

The account of the British secret service could explain why the advance on Moscow came to an end so quickly. According to the Kremlin, Prigozhin may go into exile in Belarus – without prosecution. His mercenaries also escaped with impunity.

The agreement came about through the mediation of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko (68), who would have spent hours negotiating with the Wagner boss. On Saturday, they were filmed leaving the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don together.

Prigozhin himself has not yet commented on the alleged deal. Since he left Rostov-on-Don, he has disappeared from the scene.

Wagner mercenaries must now be integrated into the Russian army

The sudden withdrawal may also have a strategic background. According to British intelligence, the Wagner group has far fewer fighters than previously thought. Instead of 25,000 soldiers, only 8,500 are deployed. On the way to Moscow, Wagner’s troops are said to have suffered almost certain defeat.

Some Wagner members are now being offered contracts with the Russian army. According to the report, Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) wants the well-trained Wagner mercenaries to join his own ranks.

Putin has not appeared in public since his speech to the nation on Saturday. In a previously recorded interview, however, he spoke on Sunday about the “military operation” in Ukraine to which he further referred. He is confident that he will achieve all goals. The British secret service doubts whether this will actually happen. (A)

Source: Blick