In a recent press briefing, Brigadier General Pat Ryder addressed the short-lived Wagner Group uprising in Russia, emphasizing the U.S. government's stance that the situation is an internal Russian matter. He reiterated statements from the White House and State Department, underscoring that the U.S. played no role in the events.
The briefing also covered a new $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes armored vehicles and missiles for air defense systems. Ryder denied any connection between the timing of this aid package and the Wagner mutiny, stating that it was part of an established process.
Ryder declined to comment on the potential impact of the mutiny on Putin's authority. He also refused to confirm or deny Prigozhin's current whereabouts or status, despite reports of a deal with Putin that allowed Prigozhin to relocate to Belarus. The FSB's decision to drop its investigation into the mutiny, despite reported casualties among Russian troops, further complicates the situation.
While Belarusian President Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin's arrival in Belarus, Prigozhin himself has not been seen publicly since Saturday, though he released an audio statement on Monday. Flight tracking data suggests a private jet linked to Prigozhin flew from Rostov to a Minsk airbase on Tuesday.
