Danilov on Prigozhin's mutiny stunt: first stage of Putin system’s "dismantling"
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, called the mutiny attempt by the leader of Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the first stage of dismantling the system built up by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
That’s according to Danilov’s Facebook entry, seen by Ukrinform.
“Prigozhin's ‘revolt’ is the first stage of the dismantling of Putin's system. Prigozhin is only part of the group and part of the plan, the tip of the destabilization process’s iceberg," Danilov said.
According to him, a group of disaffected people – security operatives, government officials, and oligarchs – has formed in Russia, which considers Putin's actions deadly dangerous for their personal interests and their very existence, as well as a threat to the Russian Federation.
"Prigozhyn's march from Rostov is a demonstration of how serious his intentions were, what opportunities exist, and how conditions are being created for launching a power transit process – be it voluntary or forced. Wagner convoys or those formed by other forces may ultimately make it to the Red Square,” Danilov suggests.
In his opinion, Putin has the only chance of salvation left – a total purge of the power bloc, physical liquidation of Wagner Group, a demonstrative prosecution of Yevgeny Prigozhin, introduction of martial law in the country, and deployment of mass repressions.
"Whether the Zolotov-Bortnikov punitive machine, focused on beating up hipsters, women, and teenas, is able to perform these functions is a big question," Danilov noted.
He also noted that a real group of potential Russian negotiators with Ukraine has formed, but for now it remains in the shadows. However, the participation of Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko in this process cannot be ruled out.
However, according to Danilov, the Vladimi Putin regime was "stabbed in the back" by a fatal blow. It might not be immediate but it is a "definitely imminent, albeit delayed, blow."
"But... everything that can go wrong in Russia will go wrong, and the Prigozhin incident can/has started processes with unforeseeable consequences. The countdown has started. We have to do our part... to advance to (Ukraine’s – ed.) borders as of 1991," Danilov concluded.
As reported, on June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the "Wagner" PMC, went for a démarche against the Russian military leadership, in particular against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Prigozhin’s private army took control of Rostov-on-Don and part of Voronezh region on June 24, after which the Wagner leader ordered his mercenaries to advance on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the insurrection attempt, calling it a blow to the country’s back and vowing “harsh punishment” for those involved.
Later the same day, Alexander Lukashenko, in coordination with Putin, held talks with Prigozhin. Following these negotiations, Lukashenko’s office reported a de-escalation deal involving Prigozhin being exiled to Belarus and no legal action being taken against Wagner forces.
The military convoy heading for Moscow made a U-turn just over a 100 miles away from the Russian capital. The mercenaries also withdrew from the captured Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don.