EXCLUSIVE: GENERAL VAKHTANG KAPANADZE ANSWERS TO MONDO INTERNAZIONALE ON THE QUESTION PRIGOZHIN AND WAGNER

Chief of the Georgian Armed Forces (Chief of Defense Staff) from November 22, 2013, to November 22, 2016, Vakhtang Kapanadze. Aware of the fact that Georgia, in the not-too-distant past, experienced similar vicissitudes to those of Ukraine, we turned to General Kapanadze. His many decades of experience in the subject and in the topics dealt with gave us new food for thought, having lived in the first place what happened during the Second War in South Ossetia, also known as the Five-Day War in August 2008.

On the disputed issue of the death of Wagner's leader, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, who hypothesized two versions regarding the plane crash, one that spoke of 2 C-400/S-400 missiles launched from the Russian Triumph defense system and one that favored the internal sabotage version, Kapanadze seems to have little doubt and would support the hypothesis of betrayal. As denounced even on official channels Wagner (as Grey Zone and not only) spoke of traitors. It would opt for internal tampering carried out by individuals very close to the former leader and whom he trusted greatly.

"This concerns Russia", says Kapanadze, "and we will probably never know the whole truth about the incident, but between the versions launched on the plane of Prigozhin I am in favor of the one that, on board the plane, an explosive device was placed. I believe that the explosion could have caused the cabin's seal to break and the immediate loss of consciousness of the people on board, which is why no message was transmitted to the ground", giving his version on the improbability of a missile launched.

Explaining how, according to him, if a missile was used, it would be clear from the typical traces left by the same in the skies: "There would be a characteristic trail in the sky, the plane would have an alarm system, and the crew would be able to send an SOS. If such an anti-aircraft system were used, eyewitnesses would have recorded the impact of the missile". This is where the betrayal hypothesis comes in because the doubt naturally arises as to how it was possible for a commander like Prigozhin, who was attentive to every movement, not to have had the plane checked before departure: "The plane's clearance could have been carried out by Prigozhin's trusted technical personnel. In this case, Prigozhin could not have directly controlled everything or discovered the device"

Continuing talking about the subject of Wagner and the possible end of the Company, we return to the knot that created the break between Putin and the PMC. Recalling how the Russian President, immediately after the "March of Justice" carried out by Prigozhin on 23 June against senior Russian Defence Officers, "invited" PMC militants first to join the regular army or to continue their Wagner affiliation elsewhere and then immediately after the Commander's death made it compulsory for Wagnerites to join the regular army.

Kapanadze underline the fact that Wagner has a well-established image in Russia, how serials are filmed, youth organizations created and how it is believed that the recent success of Russia on the battlefield (taking Bakhmut and Soledar) is attributable to Wagner. "We cannot ignore the fact that Wagner proved to be a unit capable of fighting on the ground in the war in Ukraine. So it should be in Putin's interest to keep Wagner in full control rather than disguise it. There is talk of appointing Anton Elizarov, nicknamed "Lotus", as the new chief, although there is an important factor here: he was Prigozhin's favourite, and this may not please Putin".

In light of what happened with the Wagner Group, effectively split into two branches, one integrated into the ranks of the Russian army and the other becoming "independent" in Belarus. On the hypothesis that the future of the autonomous group is a "militia" in support of the states of Africa and Latin America I ask Kapanadze, who claims that Wagner is moving in a smart way: "Wagner has shown how effective an army is in Africa, the Middle East and other unstable regions. It fits perfectly with the concept of 'new generation warfare' (the Russian variation of hybrid warfare). Therefore, it is beneficial for Russia's political and economic leaders to continue actively using this mechanism, and I agree with his hypothesis".

Regarding the rumors circulating on Telegram chats about possible revenge against Moscow for Prigozhin's death, the General has no doubts: "Organizations like Wagner are usually united around charismatic leaders. Wagner has been deprived of its chief manager Prigozhin and military commander Utkin. I doubt that Wagner can accomplish some odious act of revenge in the near future, even if this does not exclude a further use of the same, by hypothetical anti-putinists in the future".

On the non-participation of the Russian authorities to attend the funeral of the PMC leader, the former Chief of Defense of Georgia claims that: "All those who were related to Prigozhin were arrested by the government (such as General Surovikin) or tried to distance themselves from this name. Additionally, it is likely that family members were informed by the relevant services that the burial should take place in a closed manner."

On the hypothesis launched by those who claim that Prigozhin is still alive and that the alleged wife of his most famous double was present at the funeral of Commander Wagner (speaking of Leonid Krasavin’s wife, Irina) he seems to have no doubts: "I doubt he is alive. His appearance one day as alive would be a complete disaster for Putin. But I don't know for sure: never say never about Russia".

The interview's final remarks could not but focus with a question about the Wagner enclave in Africa and the recent riots and coups. Given that it is not new that for many years Wagner has created a very strong enclave in the old continent, it is not anachronistic to assume that what is happening on the African continent can be caused by the PMC. "Wagner’s support and activity are clearly visible in Niger. - says Kapanadze - In other cases, more facts are needed to draw a conclusion. I doubt that political trials are initiated directly by the Society, even if it is a fact that politicians or local groups may use Wagner".

To confirm the respect and affiliation created by Prigozhin in the African States would be just some of his latest photos taken in the Central African Republic just before his last departure. Locals referred to Prigozhin as the "second/white Nelson Mandela".

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