Even more and more details are emerging about the rebellion that the Wagner mercenary group pulled off a few days ago in Russia, an event that held the world on edge as it was the first of its kind in the regime of President Vladimir Putin.
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin insists it was not a coup attempt but a protest against the Russian military command with whom he has been constantly clashing about how the war in Ukraine is being prosecuted.
Whatever it was, the damage has been done. Prigozhin has shown how easy it is to turn again Putin and, most of all, that he can get away with humiliating Putin, at least for now.
Even with claims that no Russian blood was shed --contrary to reports that a plane and several helicopters were shot down-- those who are well-versed in politics know that the incident has left Putin shaken and with his reputation and image in tatters.
Putin has always been obsessed with his strongman image. We even think he goes out of his way to rarely smile in public, always putting on that signature scowl, to maintain this image.
Now here comes Prigozhin from his own hometown, someone he helped build up, someone he helped make rich, turning on him like that then being allowed to get away.
Prigozhin practically made Putin flee. Observers have commented that Putin appeared to be nowhere near the Kremlin when the Wagner march began, something that cast doubt on his courage.
While he may not show it, Putin is hurting and humiliated. And there is no one more impulsive or unpredictable than someone who has been hurt and humiliated, and who wants to quickly and desperately restore his image.
This is where he becomes more dangerous.
There is no telling how Putin will lash out, how he will act, or what he will do to restore his strongman image to his oligarch and politician friends, his fellow Russians, the Ukrainians, and the rest of the world.
Considering how unpredictable Putin has become he might even find a way to blame Wagner’s mutiny on NATO, the US, or the Western Alliance. There is also no telling what he will do if he eventually comes to believe such an accusation.
His oligarch and politician friends, his fellow Russians, the Ukrainians, and the rest of the world must be ready for his next move.