waThe Kremlin has played down the fact that Prigozhin escaped punishment for his mutiny while other Putin's critics have been met with harsh prison sentences, exile or even death, saying that the deal with the Wagner chief was necessary to avoid massive bloodshed.
A photo posted online by pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia on July 6, 2023 purportedly shows the inside of a mansion in St. Petersburg belonging to Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. The photo, which cannot be verified by CBS News, is one of many posted by pro-Kremlin media after an alleged raid on Prigozhin's mansion, amid questions over his whereabouts.
Izvestia also published a collection of photos it said were selfies taken by Prigozhin, showed him posing in various wigs, fake beards and foreign uniforms — an apparent reflection of Wagner's deployments to SyriaA photo posted online by pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia on July 6, 2023 purportedly shows a jacket covered in medals belonging to Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
, Lukashenko said they are intended to deter any aggression against the country. Putin and Lukashenko both have said that some of the weapons have already been moved to Belarus, and the Belarusian leader reaffirmed Thursday that a"certain number" were there and the rest would be delivered before the year's end.