Wagner boss Prigozhin back in Russia, says Belarus leader

Moscow [Russia], July 7: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has returned to Russia after a brief exile in Belarus while his troops remain in camps, according to Belarus' state news agency BelTA.
The Belarusian leader said on Thursday that, "as far as I am informed," Wagner fighters remain in their permanent camps, according to BelTA.
"Yevgeny Prigozhin is in St. Petersburg," Lukashenko said. "Where was he this morning? Maybe he went to Moscow, or some other place. But he is not in Belarus," the president said.
Prigozhin's home as well as the headquarters of his Concord business empire are both located in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city.
Prigozhin arrived in Belarus after striking a deal brokered by Lukashenko to end the brief uprising by his Wagner forces, who had occupied the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 24 and were marching toward Moscow before agreeing to turn his forces around.
The Wagner mercenaries were able to travel hundreds of kilometres toward the Russian capital virtually unhindered before Prigozhin gave the order to end their march following negotiations mediated by Lukashenko.
The Kremlin said on Thursday that it was not aware of the whereabouts of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, following statements by the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that he was back in Russia.
"No, we do not track Yevgeny Prigozhin's changes of location, we lack the means and the will to do so," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, according to the Interfax news agency.
After the failed uprising by Prigozhin's private Wagner force against Russia's military leadership almost a fortnight ago, one of the conditions for an amnesty was the oligarch's departure for Belarus. This condition is still in force, Peskov said.
Meanwhile, photos of Prigozhin's residence have been circulating in Russian media. These were taken during house searches on the day of the revolt. In addition to the luxurious furnishings of the property, the photos also show weapons, gold and large amounts of money.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had initially described the Wagner uprising as "treason" and vowed retribution. But Putin later granted the insurgents amnesty and offered Prigozhin and his troops the possibility of leaving for Belarus.
Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin was in Belarus on June 27.
Lukashenko said on Thursday that he plans to meet Putin soon to discuss the Wagner situation, among other topics, according to BelTA.
The Belarusian leader said he doesn't think there will be "any problems" with Wagner mercenaries continuing to work "in interests of Russia" despite the uprising, according to BelTA.
"One should not lose such a unit despite all the subtle details," Lukashenko said, according to BelTA.
"I wish the entire army fought as well as these guys. But these are problems of the Russian Federation and President Putin," Lukashenko added.
Not many troops of the Russian mercenary force Wagner have relocated to Belarus, said NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday.
"We have seen some preparations for hosting large groups of Wagner soldiers in Belarus," Stoltenberg said, speaking in Brussels. "So far we haven't seen so many of them going to Belarus," he added.
Source: Qatar Tribune