Prigozhin’s play was needed so that Lukashenko could have Wagner PMC in Belarus

Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, General Leon Komornicki stated this on June 25 on Polskie radio 24.

"Prygozhin's actions were controlled by Putin and used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Lukashenko, who refused to send his troops to Ukraine. The march to Moscow was just a simulation. The movement of the Wagner group into Belarus poses a threat to northern and western Ukraine," explained Komornicki.

He highlighted that all of this is happening according to "Russian standards."

"In Russia, they don't care about their image or international opinion. Only power matters there, and the army is used for political decisions. Putin has already lost his reputation worldwide by sending his army against the Ukrainian people. He is a wanted criminal. Let's not be upset that Putin is facing consequences. He will try to use this situation for his own advantage internally. He doesn't care about external matters. Putin has nothing to gain or lose anymore; he has already lost everything," stated the general.

Furthermore, according to Komornicki, "the purpose of these actions was also to divert attention from Russia's problems related to the war in Ukraine."

Nayev assessed the possibility of a strike by the Wagner PMC from Belarus

The movement of the Wagner Group towards Ukraine is now a threat coming from Belarus. This has been publicly stated by the former Chief of the British General Staff, Richard Dannatt. Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, commented on this situation:

"I want to assure everyone that the situation in the Northern operational zone, where the threat is present, remains stable and under control. Our troops are strengthening their defense equipment, and all our services, from intelligence to engineering troops, are actively involved. Currently, we haven't observed any increase in enemy equipment or manpower. Our state border is continuously protected. If the enemy attempts to cross our border, it will be a suicidal move for them. Our soldiers are prepared to respond firmly to anyone who tries to enter our territory with weapons."

• It should be noted that when the Wagner Group moved towards Moscow and took control of military and civilian facilities in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, they faced little resistance from other Russian security forces. 

• Prigozhin, the leader of the group, halted the Wagner movement about 200 km from Moscow and engaged in negotiations. The self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, represented Putin during these talks on June 23-24. 

• According to official information, Prigozhin has been given permission to live and work in Belarus, and in Russia, he has already been cleared of sedition charges. 

• The future of the Wagner Group is still uncertain.