{"id":4052,"date":"2023-06-29T15:44:04","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T20:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/?p=4052"},"modified":"2023-06-29T15:44:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T20:44:05","slug":"putin-is-in-charge-until-he-is-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/?p=4052","title":{"rendered":"PUTIN IS IN CHARGE \u2026 UNTIL HE IS NOT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20370%20247'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load wp-image-4053\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125.png 750w, https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125-293x218.png 293w, https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-125-390x290.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I grew up in Chicago in the era of movie-style shoot \u2018em up gangsters.&nbsp; We always considered it good news when mobsters knocked each other off.&nbsp; I was reminded of that seeing the recent conflict between two of the world\u2019s most evil&nbsp; and ruthless gangsters \u2013 Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group Commander Yevgeny Prigozhin.&nbsp; There are no good guys in that confrontation \u2013 only the possibility of a good outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the old Chicago Mafia wars both Putin and Prigozhin preside over criminal organizations.&nbsp; In their pursuit of power or profit, both men are responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands \u2013 arguably even millions.&nbsp; That have stolen and embezzled multi-billions of dollars in cash and valuables.&nbsp; They are both guilty of war crimes against humanity.&nbsp; They have both summarily murdered adversaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prigozhin was once one of Putin\u2019s most intimate trusted confidants inside the Kremlin.\u00a0 If that were not the case, the paranoid Putin would never have allowed Prigozhin to prepare his food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was under Putin\u2019s sponsorship that Prigozhin was given the mandate and the resources to create the mercenary Wagner Group.&nbsp; It was to be Putin\u2019s off-the-books military force.&nbsp; It served that purpose in Syria, Libya, central Africa and other locations \u2013 most notably in Ukraine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wagner Group was composed of career soldiers and social misfits \u2013 many of whom were recruited out of prisons.&nbsp; In many ways, they were the dregs of society.&nbsp; Prigozhin, himself, is a convicted criminal and one of those indicted for the Russian meddling in the 2016 American election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wagner Group was the military backbone for Putin\u2019s ambition to take over Ukraine.&nbsp; Composed of dedicated and experienced fighters, the Wagner Group had the military competence and training that the conscripted and reluctant regular Russian soldiers lacked. &nbsp; Prigozhin\u2019s Group was a key part of the separatist movement that took control of the Crimea and continued the military occupation of eastern Ukraine long before Putin\u2019s invasion \u2013 and it was key to gaining initial ground during the invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, the relationship between them changed.&nbsp; First it was criticism of a corrupt Russian military establishment which \u2013 in Prigozhin\u2019s judgment \u2013 were not serving Putin well.&nbsp; He claimed that his Wagner Group was not being adequately supported and supplied.&nbsp; Prigozhin avoided openly criticizing Putin because that is against the law in Russia \u2013 but a schism developed between Prigozhin and the top brass&nbsp; in Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The verbal warfare between Prigozhin in the field and the generals in the Kremlin expanded to incidents of military conflict.&nbsp; Prigozhin accused the Russian military of actually attacking his troops.&nbsp; The schism between Prigozhin and Putin resulted in Wagner Group pulling out of Bakhmut after gaining control of that city \u2013 predicting that the Russian troops would not be able to retain control.&nbsp; That seems to be the case in the face of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.&nbsp; Prigozhin was literally surrendering the city back to Ukraine forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As unimaginable as it may seem, the rift between Putin and Prigozhin has arisen to the level of open warfare.\u00a0 The breaking point was a major attack by Russian troops on Prigozhin\u2019s army \u2013 killing a large number of soldiers.\u00a0 Some analysts viewed it as the first round in an effort by Putin to destroy the Wagner Group and ultimately kill Prigozhin \u2014 who Putin has now declared to be an enemy of the state and a coup plotter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a recent speech, Putin accused Prigozhin of treason and promised to punish him and his soldiers.&nbsp; Prigozhin knows that Putin\u2019s remarks are tantamount to a death sentence.&nbsp; The conflict between the two had become mortal combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seriousness of Prigozhin\u2019s threat seemed evident in the fact that Putin ordered what is left of his military inside Mother Russia to form a defensive line around Moscow \u2013 with tanks and troops surrounding the Kremlin.&nbsp; The Wagner Group was on the move \u2013 reaching just 25 miles from Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing since the precipitous collapse of the old Soviet Union had taken the world by greater surprise then the recent turn of events inside Russia.&nbsp; It raised innumerable questions about Prigozhin\u2019s ambition and ability.&nbsp; It forced a reassessment of Putin\u2019s hold on power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within 24 hours, there was said to be a peace deal between Putin and Prigozhin \u2013 and the Wagner leaders ordered his troops to end their advance on the Kremlin.&nbsp; The Wagner Group would be absorbed into the regular Russian military and Prigozhin would exile himself in Belarus.&nbsp; Apparently, the deal was brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sudden about face by Prigozhin was as surprising as his Insurrection(?) \u2026 coup attempt (?) \u2026 or whatever it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Prigozhin \/Putin confrontation has ended, but it is not over.\u00a0 Is Prigozhin under investigation by the Putin government?\u00a0 Is Prigozhin \u201cretiring\u201d in Belarus \u2026 or re-grouping?\u00a0 Like a typical Mafioso, had Putin ordered his enforcers to take out Prigozhin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And what about Putin himself.&nbsp; There seems to be a general consensus that Putin is significantly weakened \u2013 even to the point of being ousted from power.&nbsp; That may be more wishful thinking than solid intelligence analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of this moment, the threat to Putin from the Wagner Group is over.&nbsp; Prigozhin is a military leader without a military.&nbsp; Putin\u2019s generals have not been replaced \u2013 as Prigozhin demanded.&nbsp; In fact, there were no defections by the Russian military or those surrounding Putin. With Prigozhin sidetracked, there seems to be no heir to lead the insurrection.&nbsp; There was no general uprising among the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So \u2026 was the march on Moscow the attempted launch of another Russian revolution or more of a Gilbert and Sullivan production.&nbsp; No one seems to know because no one has been able to explain why Prigozhin launched his insurrection \u2013 and why he ended it so unceremoniously.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it has provided a benefit to the Ukrainians.&nbsp; The most effective military force on the Russian side of the invasion has descended into chaos and uncertainty \u2013 leaving the Russian military weakened and confused.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It could not have come at a better time for the Ukrainians \u2013 at the onset of the Spring counteroffensive.&nbsp; The Wagner Group is gone for now.&nbsp; The Russian military in Ukraine is in disarray.&nbsp; The Wagner Group\u2019s withdrawal has resulted in a number of new \u201cweak points\u201d in the Russian line of defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To speculate on the potential of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, it is important to understand that the only thing slowing the advance of Zelenskyy\u2019s military are physical defense barriers \u2013 essentially trenches and land mines.&nbsp; Without those, the Russian military would be routed from key locations fairly quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is every reason to believe that Putin will survive both his ill-conceived war in Ukraine and the rebellion from Prigozhin.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many say that Putin is weakened \u2013 even to the point of political impotency.\u00a0 Some speculate on his ousting.\u00a0 However, nothing at the time of this writing suggest that Putin will not suffer any more serious consequences than he is having from his ill-conceived invasion of Ukraine.\u00a0 At this moment his grip on power is still firm.\u00a0 He is in charge \u2013 and will be until he isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Original Article:<a href=\"https:\/\/punchingbagpost.com\/putin-is-in-charge-until-he-is-not\/\">https:\/\/punchingbagpost.com\/putin-is-in-charge-until-he-is-not\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I grew up in Chicago in the era of movie-style shoot \u2018em up gangsters.&nbsp; We always considered it good news when mobsters knocked each other off.&nbsp; I was reminded of that seeing the recent conflict between two of the world\u2019s most evil&nbsp; and ruthless gangsters \u2013 Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group Commander Yevgeny Prigozhin.&nbsp; There are no good guys in that confrontation \u2013 only the possibility of a good outcome. Like the old Chicago Mafia wars both Putin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ukraine-russia-war"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4052"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4054,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4052\/revisions\/4054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nakedpolitics.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}