Wagner mercenaries were on Thursday reported to be trying to head back into Russia after threatening retaliation over the suspected killing of their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash on the orders of Vladimir Putin. “The convoys are likely heading towards the border with Russia,” the centre said. “There’s a lot talk right now about what the Wagner Group will do,” he said.
My question is who is going to pick up the tab for these mercs? I can’t see Putin doing it himself, as he wouldn’t want to set precedent… but they are spoiled. I would assume it will be bad for Russia if they don’t keep the money flowing.
The Kremlin has been paying for Wagner from the beginning. Wagner has always belonged to Putin. It’s mercenary status has just been a mechanism of plausible deniability.
The best-trained ones might get onto the Russian military payroll if the Kremlin is smart and wants to retain some of its most battle-hardened troops.
CIA: hold my beer