Has the Wagner Rebellion Proven that Putin is Not Untouchable?

The Business Press – For more than two decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been the dominant force in Russian politics, with many observers believing that he is untouchable. However, recent events suggest that this may not be the case.

The most significant challenge to Putin’s rule in recent years has been the Wagner Rebellion, which saw a rebellious mercenary commander order his troops to march on Moscow.

At the time, many experts believed that this move would be the beginning of the end for Putin’s regime. However, the rebellion quickly fizzled out after the commander in question reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile.

This outcome has led some to question whether Putin is truly untouchable, or whether he is more vulnerable than many had previously believed.

There are a number of reasons why the Wagner Rebellion may have weakened Putin’s grip on power. For one thing, it showed that there are groups within Russia who are willing to take drastic action to oppose Putin’s regime. This is a significant development, as the fear of repression has long kept potential opposition groups in check.

The rebellion demonstrates that Putin’s security forces do not have complete control over all armed groups operating within Russia. This could potentially embolden other groups to take action against the regime, secure in the knowledge that the security forces are not invincible.

The outcome of the rebellion could also undermine Putin’s credibility among his supporters, particularly among the military and intelligence services. Although Putin was ultimately able to regain control of the situation, his decision to allow the mercenary commander to go into exile may have damaged his standing among these groups and made it more difficult for him to maintain his hold on power in the future.

It is clear that the Wagner Rebellion has raised significant questions about the stability of Putin’s regime and whether he is truly untouchable.

While it is too early to say for certain what the long-term impact of the rebellion will be, it is clear that Putin’s grip on power is not as secure as it once appeared to be. As such, it will be interesting to see whether other groups within Russia are emboldened to take action against the regime in the coming months and years.