Coup in Russia requires leader on ground, and one of them is in Ukraine - Ukraine's spy chief
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
For a new military coup in the Russian Federation, a local leader is essential. One such leader is currently in Ukraine but is gaining the necessary capacity, according to the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (MDI) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, during a speech to graduates of KSE.
According to Budanov, Ukraine was aware of the private military company (PMC) Wagner's coup preparations six months in advance. However, there are no current signs of such attempts in Russia today.
"If we're talking about hypothetical coups by ethnic groups, a leader on the ground is necessary. There's a good leader, he's here with us, but he's gaining capacity. Then we can discuss possibilities. Nothing happens by itself, the Wagner mutiny was prepared well in advance," he added.
Prigozhin's coup
According to the head of MDI, former Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was a complex personality and an ultra-patriot. During the coup, he intended to enter the Kremlin, believing he was truly saving Russia.
"But he was told: if you enter, no one here can 'take you down.' But by doing so, you won't immediately save Russia, you'll tear it apart. Because you'll be in the Kremlin, but the nominal leadership of the state will be elsewhere. And you won't be able to reunite that love. So, he stopped and listened to Lukashenko who told him this," Budanov explained.
Outcome of Wagner coup
In June 2023, as previously mentioned, Wagner PMC founder Prigozhin claimed that the Russian regular army had allegedly struck the mercenaries' rear camps. As a result, he demanded the resignation of then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and launched an advance toward Moscow.
During the coup, several regional centers were under Wagner's control. However, the uprising abruptly collapsed after negotiations between Prigozhin and Lukashenko.
Two months later, Prigozhin's plane crashed on Russian territory, with no survivors.
