“Negotiations between Prigozhin Jr. and Zolotov on the transfer of the remaining contingent of PMCs in Russia under the authority of the Russian Guard are beneficial to the heir from the point of view of preserving the Wagner brand and assets.
Zolotov’s goal is to use the PMC contingent to intensify the participation of the Russian Guard in the war, without sending his units to the combat zone. In this case, the point is to maintain a forceful presence in the regions of the country and control over the development of political events in the event of new “justice marches”, as well as to gain control over the socially active electorate of those sympathetic to the Wagnerians. In addition, Zolotov’s assistants insist on the need to gain access to the archives of compromising Prigozhin Sr. and acquire control over the remnants of media structures, which requires the continuation of a subtle game with Pavel Prigozhin’s expectations from the development of the situation around the Wagner PMC. The reason why Putin allowed Zolotov to win back the previous conditions regarding the fate of the Wagner PMC is that Putin has always built and is building his control of the power bloc through a system of checks and balances in the power elite. Now, when Shoigu’s influence is becoming limitless against the backdrop of the disposal of his opponent in the person of Prigozhin, strengthening the figure of Zolotov will prevent a shift in the center of gravity in the country’s power bloc.”
“ВЧК ОГПУ”
