After Prigozhin’s death, Putin tells security services to gear up for future mutinies

Russian security services have begun coming up with solid plans to squash future mutinies at the behest of President Vladimir Putin, two months after the uprising of the private mercenary group Wagner. According to the Moscow Times, Putin has ordered officials to be fully prepared for a rebellion. 

The report comes days after the demise of Wagner chief and Putin's once-ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Two sources close to the Kremlin and a government official who spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity have confirmed the plans of Russia’s government agencies.

“Putin wants a tighter grip on Wagner, to make sure that he would not be faced with a repeat crisis in the future,” said Natia Seskuria, an expert with the London-based Royal United Services Institute. To ensure that the group does not carry similar mutinies in the future, the Russian president has also made fighters of Wagner and other paramilitary groups sign an oath of allegiance. 

“Many members of Wagner believe that the government might be (behind Prigozhin’s death). And the government cannot ignore such risks,” said Oleg Ignatov, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Russia. Since Prigozhin's death, the Kremlin appears to be wary of internal chaos that could weaken it in times of war. 

Wagner mutiny: The fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin

For Russia, Wagner's march toward Moscow in late June was a big blow to Putin's leadership. While Prigozhin eventually agreed to give up, the uprising made an “indelible impression” on Putin. The insurrection turned Prigozhin into a threat that could overthrow the president's regime. 

His death last week added fuel to this speculation, with global leaders like Joe Biden and Boris Johnson hinting that it was an assassination. However, the Kremlin dismissed the allegations of killing Prigozhin in retaliation for the mutiny and called them an “absolute lie."