Russian authorities said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants.
The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny "ceased activities directed at committing the crime," so the case would not be pursued.
Many opposition figures in Russia have received long prison terms and are serving time in penal colonies notorious for harsh conditions. The media team for Prigozhin, the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lukashenko framed the insurrection by Wagner as a significant threat, saying he placed Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing as the mutiny unfolded.
That was "likely in an effort to retain them" in the Russian effort in Ukraine, because Moscow needs "trained and effective manpower" as it faces the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a Washington-based think tank. In another show of projecting authority, the Kremlin on Monday night showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Shoigu, whom Prigozhin had sought to remove.
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