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Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's boss and the orchestrator of a failed coup against the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, vanished. With Putin's promise of immunity, the mercenary chief was banished to Belarus the day after the armed uprising.

According to Russian sources, the 62-year-old warlord has not been seen since his arrival in Belarus on June 26, immediately after he ordered his Wagner Private Military Company to march on Moscow on June 24.

It is now being claimed that the fighters of the Wagner Group, are responsible for the deaths of 15 Russian airmen during the failed coup. They reportedly had three options: following Prigozhin, enlisting in the regular Russian army, or returning home.

Adding to the intrigue, General Surovikin, the head of the Russian aerospace forces and former supreme commander in Ukraine, is also missing.

Suspicions are high that he was involved in Prigozhin’s folly. It appears that he had prior knowledge of the mutiny.

Coinciding with these disappearances, several media companies associated with the billionaire abruptly went dark over the weekend. There are indications that Prigozhin’s extensive business empire is under assault. 

The armed uprising was a remarkable 36-hour saga that saw Wagner forces advance to within 125 miles of Moscow.

When the rebellion ended a deal was reportedly struck with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Mercenary Chief still recruiting

In a cryptic message on Monday, Prigozhin, who is considered Putin's number one enemy, hinted at future victories on the front.

As part of his agreement with the Russian leader, Wagner recruits were forced to make a difficult choice between signing contracts with the Russian defense ministry or returning to their families.

Despite the truce with the Kremlin, the Wagner Group was still actively seeking new recruits on Monday, utilizing advertisements on Telegram.

This move undermined the terms of the agreement reached by the paid-killer group.

Prigozhin himself is currently located in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, a state often seen as under Russian influence. He was allowed to relocate there after canceling his army's march on Moscow.

The fighters of the Wagner Group, responsible for the deaths of 15 Russian airmen during the failed coup, were presented with three options: following Prigozhin, enlisting in the regular Russian army, or returning home.

Prigozhin has been labeled a "traitor" by Putin, and it's worth noting that most of the Russian leader's former adversaries meet suspicious ends. And a number of them died from falling out of windows in incidents disguised as accidents.

When asked about Prigozhin's whereabouts, Senator Mark Walker, the chairman of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, acknowledged reports suggesting that he might be staying in a windowless hotel.

The secrecy surrounding Prigozhin's current location further deepens the mystery surrounding his actions and future plans.

Prigozhin's fate remains uncertain as speculation and questions abound.  Only time will reveal the full extent of the consequences and implications of this failed coup and the subsequent agreement between Prigozhin and Putin. Yevgeny Zubarev, the director of Prigozhin's Patriot Media, announced the closure of their operations and departure from the country's information space.

It was reported that all Russian media outlets have been instructed to shut Prigozhin out. And not to give voice to any opinions that dissent from Moscow. There seems to be a concerted effort to stifle any remaining influence he still has.

Prigozhin's recent exile from Russia and subsequent flight to Belarus occurred after his ill-fated rebellion against Putin and Moscow. The deal was brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, acting on behalf of Putin. And the warlord was publicly granted amnesty in Minsk. 

US Analysts speak out

Political analysts and experts have expressed concerns over Prigozhin's well-being, emphasizing the need for caution.

British MP Tobias Ellwood warned of the dangers Prigozhin might face, remarking that Putin takes matters into his own hands when it comes to dissenting voices.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus echoed this sentiment, noting that Prigozhin probably saved his life by backing down from Moscow. But he has lost his powerful Wagner Group. And he should exercise extreme caution even in his new surroundings.