Should the West and Ukraine be worried about Wagner in Belarus? | DW News

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in the country.
Prigozhin agreed to leave Russia for Belarus when he called off his mercenary revolt over the weekend.
Lukashenko said that security guarantees were provided to Prigozhin, while the fears about the potential influence of Wagner paramilitary group on the European security are growing.

Follow DW on social media:
#wagner #russia #belarus

[grumblewoof]

It's perhaps important to remember that Wagner already operates around the world in various miliary style capacities. They are freelancers who get called up via an app. Many are active criminals, ex-cons, and ex military. They are aledgely responsible for war crimes, robberies, murders, torture, rape, and possible acts of terrorism. This is on top of each individuals criminal activities, past and present. The West, particularly the EU, should expect Wagner activities on their soil. The EU should set up an anti-Wagner task force with full military support. Borders need to be monitored for any Wagner intrusion. New laws may be needed to detain verified Wagner members indefinitely. This is on the premis that there are no Wagner members who are not guilty of one or many crimes. Being a Wagner member should be a crime worldwide by default, like ISIS or Al Quaeda.

[sassulusmagnus]

It seems odd to think of Belarus as a place of "exile" for Prigozhin and the Wagner forces, given the fact that Putin essentially runs Belarus. Prigozhin's usefulness to Putin hasn't expired. Operating separately from the regular Ruzzian forces, his group may well mount an incursion into Ukraine from the north aimed at diverting strength from Ukraine's offensive in the south and east.

[bavery]

I would think Belarus should be most worried about Priggy being there. Now Lukeshenko has a whole new army of thugs at his beck and call - before they overthrow him...

[markhutchins]

Frankly, when I heard that Prigozhin was going to Belarus, the words "second front" was my first thought.

[ebejale]

The worst job to have at the moment is being a foreign Russia expert, because you are likely to be wrong almost every week

[jnkewa]

Apparently this channel didn't see what American soldiers done to Wagner in Syria....

[jeanneknight]

He was not killed because they did not want to make a martyr of him.

[chaosland]

Anything is possible. Just be aware about the situation. And don't be surprised when it happens.

[up]

I'm not saying that this is all a ruse, but I am curious if anyone else thinks that this was simply a way to tie Belarus even tighter to Russia. I believe it is unlikely but they did move military assets to Belarus before this happened and it would explain Putin's seemingly slow realization of this rebellion despite being quite obvious. If it was a ruse it was done well. If Putin was going to trust any man to head such a trick it would be the man trusted to handle his food. Only time will tell.

[ericgeorge]

The guests brought up some good points. But perhaps many have missed a possibility that this is all planned out with a strategy.

[ERAl-ke]

"When you come at the King, you best not miss" is a quote from the character Omar from the show The Wire from HBO. Excellent usage of it.

[GimpCent]

Hmm you're expert at 3:55 is leaving out that offer only was given to those who didn't rise up, which from the sounds of it was the majority of those in country; also the Russia MOD plays pennies compared to Wagner; most will not take that offer and she should know that.

[BePatient]

Prigozhin would be wise to keep his fighters near him, because they are all wanted men. That is, until some of them betray him, and allow Prigozhin to be murdered, or murder him themselves. That is, assuming that this whole thing wasn't a ruse to get Wagner mercs to Belarus to protect Lukashenko, and attack Ukraine from the northern border.

[elizabethdavis]

We should be worried about Prighozin in AFRICA.

[UnfollowYourDreams]

The most important bit of information is, that not just the US knew abut wagners plan, but moscow knew too.

This explains a lot, for example the alleged attack on a wagner camp by russian forces might have been very real and intentional.

It also explains why there were no significant attempts made to stop wagners march on moscow with force. If moscow knew what's comming, all they had to do was taking wagner families hostage.

Putin might have lost his face but he won this battle before it even started.

[atothetop]

Why is this even a question? I’m not watching a 14 min video to such a dumb question the answer is NO

[smtenor]

No, he did not go after the king, he went after the Knights. That’s the difference.

[tomblah]

0:52 these are probably the most happiest Belarusian officers I've ever seen

[alvaro]

Worry? NATO could smash and put and end to this mercenary group in a few hours.

[kobra]

In 2018 the Wagner group went up against US Special Forces in Syria. It didn't end well for the mercenaries. Over 100 died and 9 tanks were destroyed.