The failed coup attempt by the Russian mercenary force Wagner, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, continues to preoccupy the media public. In particular, the Russian government's further actions are now being closely monitored. After statements have already been made, including by Wagner boss Prigozhin himself, the question now arises as to how the situation in Russia and especially in the Ukraine war will develop further.
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The fact that the mercenaries were able to advance so far without any major obstacles before the uprising was broken off was likely to have come as a shock. Military expert Marcus Keupp analyzes how this could affect Putin's further actions and how the Kremlin leader will cope with this 'embarrassment'.
Putin is in a critical position
Putin's current position is critical at the moment, as Keupp has said in an interview with Welt. As he states, according to Welt and the magazine today, Putin has gambled away his image as a consistent ruler once and for all through his actions during the Wagner uprising.
The very fact that he left Prigozhin alive now makes Putin look weak - and that is dangerous in Russia, Keupp says. In an interview with the magazine t-online, Keupp also explains that Putin's actions have made it clear that he is 'no longer sitting firmly in the saddle'.
Read more:Vladimir Putin critic Yevgeny Prigozhin labelled 'absolute dictator' after latest conflict
The Russian army is 'thinned out'
With regard to the Russian army, Keupp also assesses the situation as 'thinned out' - Putin has got nothing 'up his sleeve' and would have to withdraw his troops from Ukraine in the event of another such uprising. According to Keupp, Putin is therefore 'pretty much strapped for cash'.
The military expert considers it unlikely that the government around Putin will recover from the events surrounding the Wagner uprising. Keupp does not expect a military coup, however, because the Russian military is not a cohesive unit - there has never been a successful coup in Russia's history, at least not yet.
Read more:Vladimir Putin issues first statement since the failed Wagner rebellion, here's what he said
This article has been translated from Gentside DE.
Sources used:
t-online: Offensive der Ukrainer: 'Putin hat nichts mehr in der Hinterhand'
heute: 'Putin sieht schwach aus – nichts ist in Russland tödlicher'
World: 'Putin sieht schwach aus – und nichts ist in Russland tödlicher, als schwach auszusehen'
Welt: 'Putin sieht schwach aus – und nichts ist in Russland tödlicher, als schwach auszusehen'
