Citing Russian sources, ISW reports that Wagner mercenaries have initiated the first phase of their retreat from Belarus, transporting groups of 500 to 600 individuals via bus to Krasnodar Krai, Voronezh, and Rostov in Russia on August 8.
According to ISW, this retreat might be a result of Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko's refusal to finance the mercenaries upon realizing that Russian funding was not forthcoming, contrary to his expectations.
ISW's sources also suggest that a smaller contingent of Wagner mercenaries could remain in Belarus to provide training to the Belarusian military.
Despite lacking "visual evidence" of the Wagner Group's departure from Belarus, ISW speculates that certain aspects of the alleged agreement between the Kremlin and Prigozhin, brokered by Lukashenko during a brief power struggle, may now be void.
After a meeting between Putin and Wagner Group leadership on June 29 at the Kremlin, ISW notes that the frequency of critical statements by Moscow authorities directed at Prigozhin had notably diminished, only to resurface in early August. The think-tank thus stated that “an increase in Kremlin attacks on Prigozhin, if true, could indicate that Putin has recommitted to his original goal of destroying Prigozhin and creating a clear separation between Prigozhin and Wagner.”
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Source: IAR, PAP
