‘There’s simply no one to root for here’ What comes next after Prigozhin’s attempted rebellion? Meduza’s readers try to make sense of what happened and what it means for the future.
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s attempted rebellion went on for less than 24 hours when, at his command, Wagner mercenaries stopped their “march of justice” and left Rostov-on-Don — the only city they managed to occupy. What can we make of all this? Meduza asked its readers to explain what they think really happened on June 24, how they feel about it, and what they expect to happen next.
Anonymous
Moscow
I went to sleep early on Saturday [June 24], expecting that in the morning [on June 25] I’d see reports of fighting in Moscow. Instead, I read that Prigozhin just up and left. I definitely didn’t expect that. By all indications, this is a total defeat for Wagner Group as an organization — Wagner’s social media was banned, the leader is in exile, some [mercenaries] are being punished and others incorporated into the regular army.
But that doesn’t even begin to explain how they marched toward Moscow (without meeting any resistance) and the way they were received by Rostov residents. It gives the impression that we know at most 10 percent about the real situation, which, unfortunately, is very common with our government.
Alex
Germany
I feel awful about what happened, because the authorities revealed how rotten they really are — something that had been previously covered up by at least a fig leaf of legality and legitimacy. The flip-flopping, the leadership’s cowardice, the inability to act collectively in a critical situation, the ability of brute force to subvert the law. It’s also awful that Prigozhin might now become a hero — completely undeservedly.
After recent days’ events, Shoigu will be removed. Prigozhin will attend to do his vile “patriotic” business in Belarus. In fact, I don’t think the system will destroy him. It’s sad, but Putin has won again.
Yekaterina
St. Petersburg
At some point when I heard about the rebellion I was scared, because everything bad always spills over onto ordinary civilians. They have to pay a really high price for every political decision. So I was actually glad that the insurrection ended so quickly and, one might say, failed. But at the same time, alongside fear I felt some kind of hope that maybe something would change. I don’t think that Prigozhin heading the government would be good for anyone. But in that case, ordinary people would have to think about what they want from our country.
Pavel
Moscow
I think that Prigozhin won’t get away with it that easily. They’ll put him in jail, or worse. “The president’s word,” as we all know, has long ceased to mean anything. But for everyone else little will change: the war’s not going anywhere, and Shoigu will remain in place.
Yelena
Previously in Moscow, now in Georgia
The news [that the insurrection had ended] was shocking. Everything seemed so serious and real and then — bam! — they changed their mind and turned around. Honestly, I felt disappointed, because this “coup” event gave us at least some hope that everything could still change in Russia.
All of this looks surreal and like a circus for idiots. Putin will be preparing for “elections” next year. Prigozhin might disappear from the news. And Shoigu? He didn’t even comment at all.
Ilya
Kaliningrad
None of the participants in the conflict inspire confidence. There’s simply no one to root for here, though Prigozhin’s populism really could become a popular demand, including for me personally.
Prigozhin’s rebellion is a ploy to slowly gain political influence. It’s not obvious what kind of “guarantees” he negotiated with Putin, but there’s no doubt that Prigozhin could become the defense minister, prime minister, or even run for president in the near future.
Dmitry
Pskov
The authorities created and nurtured this problem themselves. But, still, the vertical didn’t crumble, the governors followed orders and pledged allegiance to Putin.
As far as I can tell, Wagner Group will cease to exist. Prigozhin is out of the picture, so if there’s some kind of collapse at the front there won’t be a charismatic populist hero ready to stage a coup.
It seems like Prigozhin deliberately wanted to raise the stakes and negotiate. In that case, his actions don’t strike me to be as irrational as they seemed when I was scrolling through the news on Saturday. Even if he fades away into the shadows, he’ll still be loved by many Russians. At some point, Prigozhin will try to reenter Russian politics — and that scares me.
Artyom
Ufa
The ratings for the so-called second greatest army in the world have now sunk even lower. Those who were supposed to safeguard “stability” screwed up — this isn’t the same as beating unarmed civilians at rallies. They’ll get rid of Shoigu the first chance they get. As for the main character behind our misfortunes, I wish for him to get a special tribunal.
Lyudmila
Previously in St. Petersburg, now in Tbilisi
Prigozhin’s rebellion, and Wagner Group’s whole reputation, crumbled in an instant, like a house of cards. And even though the authorities in the Kremlin haven’t changed, the process of state collapse has begun. Putin showed weakness, he proved to be a coward, he retreated from the principle of “not negotiating with terrorists.”
I don’t think this was “arranged.” Putin’s reputation has suffered too much from this situation, and he wouldn’t have risked it deliberately. Now everyone knows that Putin and his circle are weak and that law enforcement in the regions won’t resist. They’ll give up a city to anyone who shows up with enough weapons and soldiers. The only question is whether such a group of people will indeed gather, and whether they will be well-armed.
Ivan
Berlin
During the staged action, all key people were informed. Putin is a professional manipulator, and this kind of performance is exactly his style. I’m treating [the current situation] positively. This kind of upheaval can only be followed by a complete cleansing of the system.
It also served to relieve some social tension. When we protested with [Alexey] Navalny, they grabbed us and dragged us into police vehicles. But here, people were getting along with the Wagnerites and it seems like this didn’t create any problems for them. It’s cool, it means that now you can afford to disagree.
Boris
Stavropol
All this was a staged effort. It seems that, apart from a few helicopters and damaged roads, there weren’t any losses. What was it for? Well, for example, to identify and then eliminate those bureaucrats and security officials who sympathize with the rebellion. That’s why the “motor rally” passed through all the keys spots running along the route from the “special military operation” to Moscow. In order to see what local officials will do.
Mika
Munich
The way I feel about this situation is the same way I feel about everything that’s happened in the past few years — this has only increased the pressure inside, without any way for it to be released.
Peter
St. Petersburg
There’s a de facto lack of a strong central authority in the country, but there are distinct groups with their own individual interests. The silence of the special services, whose specific job it is to prevent such incidents, is indicative of this. Either they’re on the side of the conflict (corruption?), or their conditions are such that they’re unable to properly carry out their duties. In any case, our government’s institutions are not just weak, but in a state of decay.
Anonymous
Ryazan
Prigozhin and all of Wagner Group will stop fighting on behalf of Russia and will instead fight for Belarus. I’m waiting for some kind of reforms and changes in command to take place. Russia has lost very capable forces. If [the Russian leadership] wants to continue the war, they’ll have to change something.
Katya
Previously in Rostov-on-Don, now abroad
Nothing changed [after the attempted insurrection.] Everyone will stay where they already were and they will all consider themselves victorious. After all, they have a completely different mindset, and since everything revolves around money, their main focus will be to continue making money. In regard to Prigozhin, as a businessman, he [will have the task] of developing his business into a squad of mercenary criminals.
Svetlana
Moscow region
The authorities don’t like it when people go against them and violate their principles. Taking advantage of his status, Prigozhin has managed to escape punishment, but it won’t be forgiven. He bit off more than he could chew by essentially marching on the Kremlin. They’ll get rid of him, but later pin it on the enemy or something. But they can also keep him on a short leash — to be used for their own purposes.
Translation by Emily Laskin and Sasha Slobodov