In a surprising development amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, internal strife emerged between the Russian military and the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

So giving a brief as to what really ensued is that last week, Prigozhin openly accused Russia's military of attacking a Wagner camp, resulting in the deaths of a significant number of his men. He threatened retaliation and entered Russia's Rostov region, occupying key military installations in its capital, Rostov-on-Don.  And in response, President Putin addressed the nation, vowing to punish those involved in treason and armed rebellion, as they posed a deadly threat to the nation and jeopardized Russia's statehood.  

After which, Prigozhin ordered his fighters, who had been advancing towards Moscow, to turn back and return to their bases to prevent bloodshed. He revealed that his forces had covered 200 km (124 miles) in the past 24 hours.

In this episode, our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan delve into the ongoing strife, examining the factors that have contributed to it. They explore the significance of Wagner Group, shedding light on its origins and operations, and also assess the potential impact of this internal strife on the war in Ukraine and whether it poses a threat to Putin's stronghold.

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh