Can Putin use the Wagner mutiny to tighten his grip on power? | DW News

Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, has appeared in a video released by his ministry for the first time since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster. According to the video, Shoigu was inspecting troops in Ukraine. He can be seen in the footage flying in a helicopter and then attending a meeting with military officers at a military headquarters, supposedly in Ukraine. The footage has not been independently verified. The head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched an uprising on Friday night and temporarily occupied the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He demanded the ouster of Shoigu and Russia's chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, before ending his rebellion late on Saturday.

Walter Feichtinger, the president of the Center for Strategic Analysis in Vienna, told DW that Russian President Vladimir Putin would do anything to restore his image as a "strong leader" after the short-lived Wagner uprising.

"First of all, he has to demonstrate that he is the leader, so the personal environment [around him] can expect some changes," Feichtinger said.

"And in external affairs, especially in the war in Ukraine, he will do everything to put more pressure on the military forces to show and to demonstrate [to] the world and his population 'I'm still in place and we are stronger as we were before,'" he added.

On Monday, Russia's Defense Ministry released footage of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for the first time since Wagner forces sought his removal. There has been speculation that Shoigu's removal from office could be part of the Belarus-brokered deal between Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and Moscow.

But Feichtinger said such an outcome was unlikely, at least in the coming days or weeks, because this would demonstrate that Prigozhin's assessment was right and ultimately hurt Putin's image.

Besides the unrest at home, the latest developments also create a headache for Putin as Wagner fighters were a "very important military tool for Russia," Feichtinger said.

"They are well equipped, they are trained, they are experienced in war fighting ... They have to be under [the] control of the state of Russia," he said.

"Putin is not interested, I can imagine, to lose this very important military tool. So what could be the solution? To have a new leader? To have a new commander instead of Mr. Prigozhin? That is one of the biggest questions. Will Mr. Prigozhin accept that he has no strong role in the future of his mercenaries?"

Follow DW on social media:
#Russia #wagnergroup # SergeiShoigu

[NeuroScientician]

Shoigu should stay as long as possible, his incompetence is the best ally Ukraine could ever wish for.

[jimcy]

When Putin said he could be in any capital in Europe in 3 days he meant his own.

[Turandot]

Hotel clerk: May I help you, sir?
Prigozhin: A room on the ground floor, please.

[luisrodrigues]

Window jumping in Russia is a national sport, and now it will be in group!

[wilsan]

Let's not forget, he was not against Putin but rather against the military commanders

[cartoonfan]

for Ukraine I hope Shoigu stays, his incompetence is a real asset for Ukraine

[erichert]

Fleeing in terror and basically disappearing for 24 hours while Prigozhin advanced on Moscow is no show of "strength" that I've ever heard of.

[deecee]

Putin to Shoigu: "I DONT NEED AMMO I NEED A RIDE!!!"

[spankflaps]

Prigozhin has probably fallen through a trap door and landed in a shark tank.

[Astepatatimekvarn]

Prigozin might have disappeared already like jimmy Hoffa 😮

[Firkinnel]

I would buy a bungalow as the inevitable fall from the window is less painful.

[lukeswan]

They all signed their death warrant when they rebelled and backed down.

[hansmarheim]

I dont think i would make a deal with Vlad and expect that he would stick to it. I dont think Prigozhin would either. There must be something else they dont tell us.

[bonjourvietnam]

look at the crowd cheering and taking selfies with wagners says it all...look at Prigozhin smiling as everyone cheers to see who's the hero 🙏

[ksl-]

Sorry for your loss. I hope Demitri has a peaceful sky wherever he is too.

[dixztube]

This whole war has been like a crazy tv series. It’s so wild

[andreasottohansen]

Can he?
He has to!
The first person has dared go against Putin in a big way, so it is easier for the next person to see their chance.

[joebidenisyourpresidentget]

Alternate title : Can a gunshot wound be beneficial in preventing future blood clots?

[FishandHunt]

Russia went from taking Kyiv in 3 days to an internal armed insurrection in 17 months.

Putin - "Everything is on time and is going according to plan, we have lost nothing"

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦💪🏻🇦🇺

[davedon]

😂😂😂. No more room for more tightening 😂. The grip is already as tight as it can get 😂😂.