Title: Putin Skips Funeral of Wagner Group Leader, Raises Speculations
Published: September 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Updated: September 10, 2023, at 11:01 AM
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence at the funeral of Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the notorious private military company Wagner Group, has sparked rumors and speculations.
Prigozhin, who was killed in action, was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by his family, comrades, and friends. However, the absence of Putin, a key figure in Russian politics, has raised eyebrows and led to various theories being put forth.
Former foreign minister Carl Bildt suggests that Putin’s absence indicates nervousness. “It is very clear that Putin is a little nervous,” Bildt stated. While the specific reason for Putin’s alleged nervousness remains unclear, experts believe it could be related to internal power struggles or external pressures.
Håkan Gunneriusson, a docent in military science at the Risk and Crisis Research Center at Midtuniversitetet in Sundsvall, has a different take on the situation. Gunneriusson suggests that Prigozhin could have been a “peasant sacrifice” made by Putin to appease forces outside the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s domestic security and intelligence agency.
Gunneriusson’s theory implies that Putin may have been forced to distance himself from Prigozhin and the Wagner Group to maintain a favorable image amid mounting international scrutiny. The Wagner Group has been accused of involvement in various conflicts worldwide and has faced allegations of human rights abuses.
The absence of Putin at Prigozhin’s funeral adds to the intrigue surrounding Russia’s political landscape. Speculations about power struggles and external pressures are intensifying, as experts and analysts closely monitor the situation.
Despite the absence of concrete evidence, observers believe that Prigozhin’s death and Putin’s non-attendance at the funeral could have significant implications for Russian politics and international relations. The situation warrants further investigation to understand the motives behind Putin’s absence and the potential repercussions on both domestic and global fronts.
Niklas SvenssonShare, a renowned journalist, is closely following the developments and will provide updates as the story unfolds.
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