‘To avoid bloodshed’ — Wagner leader ends rebellion, orders troops to retreat from Moscow

Dmitry Peskov, presidential spokesoerson, said an agreement brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was struck with Prigozhin.

Earlier, the Wagner leader and his troops were advancing towards Moscow, the Russian capital, after reportedly seizing power in Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine.

But in an audio message, Prigozhin said the fighters would return to base because of the risk of blood being spilled.

The paramilitary were fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine but dropped their arms after their leader accused the country’s army of “killing scores” of his fighters with a rocket attack.

Hostilities between both parties climaxed after the mercenary force vowed to topple Putin.

Putin described Wagner’s actions as a “stab in the back”, adding that measures taken by Russia to address the situation would be brutal.

Several countries, including Ukraine, the United States, and other neigbouring countries, and global organisations like the European Union (EU), said they were monitoring the situation closely.

Following the latest development,  the Kremlin spokesperson said Prigozhin will go to Belarus owing to a deal.

Peskov did not offer much details but said the charges brought against the Wagner leader by the federal security service would be dropped.

“You will ask me what will happen to Prigozhin personally? The criminal case will be dropped against him. He himself will go to Belarus, ” he said.