MINSK, Belarus — The mystery surrounding the fate of Russia’s Wagner rebel mercenary group deepened Thursday with the leader of Belarus saying the fighters and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, were not in his country despite the Kremlin saying they had effectively been exiled there after leaving. Moscow
Prigozhin brought Russia down days ago after launching his mutiny against the Kremlin’s military leaders, setting up a direct confrontation with President Vladimir Putin.
The Wagner leader said thousands of his fighters were marching towards Moscow, only to turn back after an apparent deal brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko would see them leave Russia for their neighboring ally.
Lukashenko said last week that Prigozhin was in Belarus. On Thursday, however, he said at a rare news conference that Prigozhin was still in Russia, in his hometown of St. Petersburg, despite the Kremlin effectively saying he had been exiled.
His mercenaries were still in their “permanent camps” in Russian-controlled territory, Lukashenko added, saying he still expected the Kremlin to ask him to take in the fighters.
Speaking to the world’s media at the presidential palace in Minsk on Thursday morning, he dismissed the concerns of Belarusians who worry about the implications of having thousands of members of the armed mercenary group within their borders.
“I absolutely do not care and I am not worried that a certain number of these fighters will be deployed here,” said Lukashenko, who has presented himself as a negotiator in the deal between Prigozhin and Putin.
“The main condition” of Wagner’s potential deployment, he added, “is that if we have to use this unit for the defense of the State, it will be used immediately. Its experience will be in demand.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Keir Simmons reported from Minsk, Belarus, and Alexander Smith reported from London.
