A private jet thought to be carrying notorious Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has crashed in Russia killing all 10 on board, and raising speculations about the man\u2019s death \u2013 which happened in mysterious circumstances.<\/p>\n
Many are looking at Russian Federation president Vladimir Putin, who\u2019s enemies have a way of vanishing or dying in shady circumstances. However, a geopolitical expert says that Putin isn\u2019t the only one who would benefit from Yevgeniy Prigozhin\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cWagner represents a greater tussle within Russia. There is no country with more moving parts than the Russian Federation. The direction they\u2019re going in is an intra-institutional conflict within the Russian Federation,\u201d Alp Sevimlisoy, a Geopolitical Strategist and the CEO of his own specialist corporation headquartered in Istanbul, tells The Mirror.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the start, we\u2019ve been seeing different narratives and views and what emerged as a third party. Wagner never really fit in the mould of either. What we are seeing is a play-by-play of consequences within Russia,\u201d added Mr Sevimlisoy.<\/p>\n
The Russian Civil Aviation Authority tonight offically claimed Prigozhin and his right hand man Dmitry Utkin were on board the plane, while the Wagner-affiliated Grey Zone Telegram channel also said their leader\u2019s body was found in the wreckage.<\/p>\n
When asked about Putin\u2019s role in Prigozhin\u2019s death, the geopolitical strategist explained the party behind the death is the one who stands to benefit most from Wagner\u2019s destruction. \u201cThe Wagner was a third path that was essentially a pain for GRU and Russian intelligence. Rather than looking at who did it today, we must see who stands to benefit from the consolidation of Wagner resources,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
What the death of Yevgeniy Prigozhin will mean for Putin and Russia
\nMr Sevimlisoy added: \u201cWagner is a multi-form entity, apparent in local governments and mining resources ranging from subsaharan Africa to south amber, feeding into state entities of the Russian Federation.. [we are looking at] where the absorption will occur.<\/p>\n
\u201cGRU will absorb the remnants of what was the Wagner group. GRU is the most powerful institution within the Russian Federation. Putin\u2019s biggest rival is now GRU, in terms of resources, monetary power, and people. GRU has another world view.\u201d<\/p>\n
A second expert, Mykola Volkivskyi, Former Advisor to the Chairman of the Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament and president of the First International Ukrainian Foundation of Development, told The Mirror: \u201cToday is exactly two months since the start of the so-called Prigozhin coup. Back then, Prigozhin\u2019s actions dealt a huge blow to Putin\u2019s image. His reputation as a \u2018strong leader\u2019 was significantly damaged, as he failed to keep his prot\u00e9g\u00e9s from the demonstrative conflict that the whole world witnessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccordingly, this reduced his ability to influence the situation inside Russia. After the coup, Putin no longer looked untouchable. This precedent is the first time in almost 24 years of Putin\u2019s de facto rule in Russia. Putin had less and less of everything; people, money, weapons, influence \u2013 everything that allowed him not only to continue the war but also to hold the situation in Russia itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis death can be Putin\u2019s payback, which he successfully realized exactly two months later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead at Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine
\nBoth experts agree that this is a plus for Ukraine. One thing political experts are stunned by is \u201chow quickly [Ukraine has] become adept at new technological resources.\u201d As we talk about Ukraine getting these weapons, keep in mind that these weapons are technologically comprehensive, and it takes years for militaries to become adept at working with them, explained Mr Sevimlisoy.<\/p>\n
\u201c[This development] is a demonstrable example of why Ukraine should be in NATO. Any country that can stand up to Russia and be this adept at warfare deserves to be a candidate,\u201d added Mr Sevimlisoy. \u201cWe can ensure that the end results with the reintegration of Crimea back into Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe three main countries supporting Ukraine through the war, are the US, UK, and Turkey. Turkey is one of the most active in supporting Ukraine with technology, and now they\u2019re the supreme military power in the region. Going forward within the parameters of NATO and Ukraine and looking forward into Russia, what we will witness is a further thinning of the narratives \u2013 there will be one narrative that emerges with the demise of Wager\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom here on in, we as NATO must ensure our objective focus on targeting Russian military installations in and around the Black Sea, as well as the grain agreement, which was originally between Turkey, Ukraine and Russia. [The agreement] should be boiled down between Ukraine and Turkey without Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turkey can provide safety and control with these developments in their military.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that an extraordinary council of the Wagner group\u2019s command will be convened shortly to discuss their next steps and further actions. Much will depend on the behaviour and reaction of Alexander Lukashenko (after all, it is not on the territory of Belarus, where the largest number of Wagnerites are located),\u201d added Mr Volkivskyi.<\/p>\n