US Intelligence Services Have Detected Potential Mutiny in Russia, But the Wagner Group's Speed ​​Remains Surprising

Wagner Group's mercenaries Tank enters Rostov. (Wikimedia Commons/Fargoh)

JAKARTA - The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Russia, with the country's intelligence services already sniffing out long ago of potential unrest linked to the Wagner Group mercenary group.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by their national security team regarding Saturday's events. This was later discussed with Western allies in Europe.

Uncle Sam's State intelligence agency has detected the potential for riots in Russia. However, the progress of Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group troops remains surprising.

"What we've seen is extraordinary. I think you've seen gaps that weren't there before," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as quoted by The National News, June 26.

The day before the mutiny, US intelligence officials briefed the White House, Pentagon and Capitol Hill about potential unrest in Russia, quoting VOA from the Washington Post and The New York Times.

Indications that Prigozhin and his men might be moving against Russia's military leadership have been tracking US intelligence since mid-June, according to the Washington Post.

The same media reported that US ciphers also believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the movements of his former close ally, Prigozhin, at least a day before the uprising.

Progozhin's troops moved quickly from their base in Ukraine on Friday, to then take control of a regional military camp in the city of Rostov, before heading to Moscow.

The weekend's mutiny ended abruptly, as Prigozhin ordered his troops to fall back and turn right, after only 200 kilometers from Moscow.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the turmoil was an internal matter for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Our focus is resolutely and relentlessly on Ukraine, ensuring that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself and reclaim territory captured by Russia," Foreign Minister Blinken said, as quoted by Reuters.

Although, US officials are also curious about the developments that have taken place, including the Russia-Progozhin agreement mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, so that Wagner fighters would return to their bases.

"Perhaps President Putin doesn't want to lower himself to negotiate directly with Prigozhin," said Foreign Minister Blinken.

It is known that the Wagner Group is the most successful Russian military element in the war in Ukraine, especially regarding the military campaign in Bakhmut.

Although, Prigozhin several times criticized the Russian military leadership regarding operations in Ukraine, directing it to the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff General Valeri Gerasimov. One of the highlights was when Prigozhin said that the Russian Ministry of Defense did not provide enough ammunition for Wagner's campaign in Bakhmut.

Those who took part in the Saturday uprising have been granted amnesty. While those who do not participate are expected to be allowed to join the Russian army.