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When Russia’s mercenary group marched on Moscow, it seemed to take the world – and Vladimir Putin – by surprise . What does it mean for his grip on power – and for his war?It was a sudden, surprising and chaotic rebellion that few seemed to have expected. On Friday night, the leader of Russia’s armed mercenaries, the Wagner group, suggested his soldiers fighting in Ukraine had been attacked by their own side – the Russian military. By Saturday morning, the group had taken over a town in Russia. From there, the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, issued more threats and soon they were marching on Moscow, killing Russian soldiers on the way.In response, Vladimir Putin issued furious statements heavy with threats. But then, just as soon as the mutiny started, it was over. The Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, announced he had brokered a deal between the two sides and that Prigozhin had agreed to go into exile in Belarus. No action would be taken against Wagner fighters. Continue reading...