CIA director Burns discusses 'Prigozhin's mutiny exposed weaknesses in Putin's system'
Central Intelligence Agency Director, William Burns, said Thursday (July 20) that Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's failed mutiny exposed weaknesses in both the President Putin's system and Russia's strategy in Ukraine.
During a conversation with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly at the Aspen Security Forum, Burns said the CIA and other intelligence agencies are taking advantage of current disaffection in and outside the elite in Russia.
The Wagner paramilitary group's failed June 23-24 rebellion has been interpreted by the West as a challenge to President Vladimir Putin's rule, illustrating the strain of the Ukraine war on the Russian state. Burns said further Ukrainian gains on the battlefield will make more Russians pay attention to a blistering critique of the war made by Prigozhin just prior to the mutiny.
Prigozhin was shown in a video on Wednesday (July 19) welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now but ordering them to gather their strength for Africa while they trained the Belarusian army.
The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world
Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know
Read The Sun: [ Ссылка ]
Like The Sun on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Follow The Sun on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: [ Ссылка ]
#wagnergroup #yevgenyprigozhin #vladimirputin
