UPDATE: Wagner Mutiny Ends With Criminal Charges Dropped, Prigozhin To Retire In Belarus As Wagner Funding Ends

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This entirely bizarre slightly less than 24-hour short-lived coup attempt has just gotten even stranger, given the terms of the truce which evidently caused Evgeny Prigozhin to announce his Wagner fighter columns would turn around and go back to their bases.

The Wall Street Journal has confirmed based on Kremlin statements that "As part of the agreement, Prigozhin will leave Russia for Belarus, and criminal charges against him will be dropped, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. His fighters will be allowed to sign contracts with the Russian military."

The criminal case against Prigozhin has been dropped and he will move to Belarus, Kremlin says: https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672693137028816896

"He added that Wagner's fighters will not be persecuted, taking into account their efforts on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict. Peskov explained that President Vladimir Putin's team "have always respected their exploits."

Those PMC contractors, who refused to take part in the mutiny – and whole units did not – will be allowed to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, Peskov stated.

Can this even be called exile?... given that Kremlin statements at this point aren't even so much as using the word which has a clear punitive implication. The irony remains that one can get a much harsher punishment for mere Cannabis vape pens in the country. In summary:

● Charges dropped against Prigozhin, who will leave Russia for Belarus
● Wagner fighters who didn't take part in the uprising will sign contracts with the MOD
● Wagner fighters who did take part not charged
● No word on potential MOD leadership changes

The Wagner troops are departing from Rostov, eliciting applause from the onlookers.

— Russian Market (@runews) June 24, 2023

Despite the slap on the wrist (if even), the Kremlin is still talking tough:

"The plotters' adventurist aspirations are essentially aimed at destabilizing the situation in Russia, destroying our unity and undermining Russia's efforts to reliably ensure international security," the Foreign Ministry said. "The mutiny plays into the hands of Russia's external enemies."

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/putin-blasts-wagner-treason-betrayal-clashes-erupt-southern-russia