The Wagner affair exposed a "crack" in Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with the daily newspaper La Provence on June 25, stated that the swift armed uprising by Wagner operative Yevgeny Prigozhin revealed internal divisions within Russia.

A screenshot from a video published in the NY Times shows Wagner forces leaving Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on the evening of June 24, 2023.

On the evening of June 23, several audio recordings were posted on the Telegram channel of Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Private Military Group and a participant in the military operation in Ukraine. Specifically, Prigozhin claimed that his units had been attacked and blamed the country's military leadership.

In connection with these statements, the Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case regarding calls for armed insurrection. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the allegations that it had carried out attacks on Wagner camps in Ukraine.

Then, early on June 24, videos circulated on social media showing armored vehicles of the Russian army and National Guard deployed in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don, where Prigozhin said his fighters were advancing. Despite defensive measures, Wagner forces reportedly took control of Rostov-on-Don with little resistance, and continued their advance toward the capital Moscow.

But Wagner's rebellion fizzled out as quickly as it began. Later that day, Prigozhin said in an audio message that his forces were within 200 km of Moscow and were "turning around" to return to their field camps. Wagner's forces then left Rostov-on-Don. Prigozhin himself left the city in a heavily guarded black SUV.

Belarusian state media unexpectedly announced that President Alexander Lukashenko had reached an agreement with the Wagner group, in coordination with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the agreement, Prigozhin would travel to Belarus, and the criminal case against Wagner would be dropped.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves Rostov-on-Don in a heavily guarded black SUV on the evening of June 24, 2023. Photo: NY Times.

Speaking to the French newspaper La Provence, President Macron said he had been following the events (in Russia) hour by hour along with France's key partners.

Emphasizing that the situation is still evolving, Macron stated that Wagner's rebellion revealed "a crack that exists within the Russian government, the fragility of both the regular army and the supporting forces" like Wagner.

Furthermore, the French President also reaffirmed the importance of supporting Ukraine amidst the instability in Russia. He said: “These developments require our utmost vigilance and are a testament to the support we are providing to the Ukrainians in their resistance . ”

Minh Duc (According to TASS, Yahoo!News)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tong-thong-phap-vu-wagner-boc-lo-vet-nut-trong-nga-a614252.html