Video shows Wagner chief welcoming troops into Belarus after botched coup

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Wednesday appeared in a video welcoming fighters of the private mercenary group to Belarus, suggesting they will shift their focus to Africa and away from Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

The video, which was posted to Telegram and reported by Reuters, appears to be the first time Prigozhin has been on camera since troops under his control marched on Moscow in a brief mutiny, which began on June 23 and ended less than 24 hours later.  

Prigozhin’s voice welcomes Wagner troops, though the video was shot at night and only a profile of what appears to be Prigozhin can be seen along with a group of men. 

“Welcome lads. . . . Welcome to Belarusian soil,” he reportedly says in the film, which Reuters could not immediately verify as authentic.   

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https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4106686-video-shows-wagner-chief-welcoming-troops-into-belarus-after-botched-coup/