[Oldmanmatt]

Koo koo

Yes, just woken up to video of troops/tanks surrounding the MoD building in Rostov. There must be e few of the “Republics” in the Federation that would quite like a change.
From what I’ve read, a disproportionate number of Russian conscripts, are not in fact Russian, for instance.
Whatever the outcome this time, it’s surely a bad plan to arm, train and give combat experience to a vast host of not really Russians; over the long run.

[Oldmanmatt]

As of 20 minutes ago, 0540 in the UK, Prigozhin appears to be in control of Rostov.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ct3EWMos14h/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[jwi]

Interesting times. I read this article half a year ago arguing that building private armies was not a good idea https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wagner-group-russia-putin-putinism/

My Ukrainian family has for the first time in ever expressed some sympathy for Russian civilians and they fear that the battle for Moscow is going to be bloody.

Not that they have any better sources of info than anyone else. When the owner of the most successful troll factory in the world is fighting against the creator of modern propaganda about how a war is going to be conducted, and the country they fight has the best media strategy of any European state it is hard to get reliable info

[petejh]

It's not a coup, it's a special military operation.

[Will Hunt]

You joke, but the correct euphemism is March of Justice.

[petejh]

Yep, who'd have thought the leader of Wagner Group would be so impressively woke: https://www.march4justice.org.au/

[Oldmanmatt]

In 2020, the Russian army was the 2nd “greatest” army in the world.

By the end of 2021, it was the 2nd greatest in Ukraine.

Seems that in 2023, it might be the 2nd greatest in Russia…

This is definitely a full on shooting match.

[monkoffunk]

I watched this in March 2022 and remember thinking how basically only one thing hadn’t come true yet. This was recorded April 2021.

[Oldmanmatt]

So, is it reasonable to think Prigozhin knew he was about to be arrested (probably for weeks now) and really only played the last hand available to him? And, that largely his gamble paid off?
The Kremlin essentially capitulated, right?
Worse, unless Prigozhin has an accident soon, he’s about to become a “rebel leader in exile” sat on Russia’s border, with a loyal, well armed, well trained and experienced army (which, even if broken up, could probably be recalled should he choose to).
He made loud noises about patriotic duty and saving Russians.
It might take a while to play out, but Putin is buggered.
Even his most loyal flunkies must be checking the dates on their passports and putting down a deposit on that villa in Dubai.
Western intelligence agencies will be instituting entrance exams to sort out the flood of potential spies and sources trying to buy a way out with what they know.
A single traitor, in an organisation of thousands, could bring it down.
If Putin’s inner circle does not now consist of at least 50% disaffected, scared and desperate muppets, casually hanging around the Lifeboats and surreptitiously studying the launching instructions, I’ll eat Borscht for a week, three meals a day.

*For reference. My building (32 floors, 10 apartments per floor, 20 mtr pool and spa, gym etc etc and one of hundreds, if not thousands here) is around 50% Russian occupied. Most have moved in over the last six months. My Boss just sold the units of two towers a few streets away, just over two hundred apartments, he tells me they went at about 70% Russian buyers.

[Fiend]

Rrrespost

[slab_happy]

unless Prigozhin has an accident soon,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66599733

"Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash"

[Oldmanmatt]

unless Prigozhin has an accident soon,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66599733

"Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash"

Yes, just saw that.

Surprised it took so long.

[Will Hunt]

Who had 2 months and surface-to-air missile in the sweepstake?

[jwi]

"Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash"

says Moscow

[andy popp]

How could this have happened! Russian aviation is amongst the safest in the world.

[SA Chris]

Who had 2 months and surface-to-air missile in the sweepstake?

I was 4 to 1 on cut hydraulic lines.

[Dingdong]

I assumed he’d either fall out of a window or get poisoned with polonium tea

[SA Chris]

Or accidentally brutally cut his own head off while shaving.

[seankenny]

It’s a fitting and satisfying end to Season 3, if a little lacking in originality.

[slab_happy]

unless Prigozhin has an accident soon,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66599733

"Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash"

Yes, just saw that.

Surprised it took so long.

I guess maybe the logic was to wait until momentum from the uprising has dissipated and the Wagner group's started being moved more to Africa, so you're less likely to have to deal with blowback from them when you assassinate their beloved leader?

[SA Chris]

Yevgeny Prigozhin latest: Putin silent after Wagner boss 'killed in plane crash’

Original BBC headline. I like the use of the quotation marks.

[Oldmanmatt]

unless Prigozhin has an accident soon,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66599733

"Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash"

Yes, just saw that.

Surprised it took so long.

I guess maybe the logic was to wait until momentum from the uprising has dissipated and the Wagner group's started being moved more to Africa, so you're less likely to have to deal with blowback from them when you assassinate their beloved leader?

Yup.
And multiple Russian media reports of Wagner or ex-Wagner personnel robbing, raping and murdering Russian citizens.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-convict-wagner-crime-108e410835e4bf27ac3192cd7f945b39#