Putin at risk as Russian civil war a ‘real possibility’ after Wagner crash
Vladimir Putin faces the threat of a civil war, according to a political commentator
REUTERS
Vladimir Putin is running the risk of a civil war, with plenty of disparaging factions ready to challenge the Russian president, according to a political commentator.
It comes after a plane linked to Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin came down in Russia, with many questioning whether the Kremlin was behind it.
It remains unconfirmed whether the warlord was on board, but US intelligence has suggested it is “likely” he was.
Prigozhin led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin in June, but the Russian government has denied responsibility for the incident.
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According to political commentator Fraser Myers, the Wagner Group are just one faction Putin should be concerned about, with many more planning rebellious moves of their own.
He told GB News that this could spill over into a civil war as there is a possibility of more warring factions emerging.
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“Civil war in Russia is a real possibility. There are all kinds of private armies operating in Russia”, he said.
“Even the defence minister is starting his own army, and you think about how Putin has been using Chechen forces.
“There’s lots of warlords about, this is a very scary situation.”
Prigozhin’s Wagner Group is a private military organisation with thousands of mercenaries fighting in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Fraser Myers says many groups in Russia could pose a threat to Putin
GB NEWS
Prigozhin’s reported death leaves a precarious future for the group, who are one of many mercenary units in Russia.
A civil war is likely the last thing the Russian president wants given the ongoing battle in Ukraine.
It comes after Russia reported one of the biggest coordinated Ukrainian air raids yet over Russian-controlled territory.
They claimed air defence systems had downed all 42 drones attacking Crimea before they could hit their targets on Friday.
The threat of civil war has been raised by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
He said Putin is responsible for the death of the mercenary group boss, alleging the Russian president took issue with his aborted rebellion against the Kremlin.
Navalny warned his death would have a “deeply destabilising effect” on the Wagner Group.
Moscow has refuted claims it was behind the plane crash, dubbing them a “complete lie”.
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