Putin’s Post-Prigozhin Clean Up

Despite Western media assertions that the half-coup heard round the world was a sign of instability, my sources around Moscow and the Kremlin tell me that Putin is once again in full control. But questions linger about a future purge and missed warning signs.

The expectation in Putin’s court is that any purge would go after those close to Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photo: Contributor/Getty Images

Julia Ioffe

July 5, 2023

It’s been a week and a half since Yevgeny Prigozhin rose up in mutiny and marched on the Russian capital, abruptly turned around, and, allegedly, retired to Belarus. Ever since, the Russian capital has been just fine, actually.

“The parks are full, the restaurants are full,” one well-connected Moscow source told me, using the now universal Moscow shorthand for normalcy. “People look relaxed. I know five drones tried to attack Moscow, but I only found out from the news. Maybe if there had been significant losses and destruction it would’ve been different.” Then again, the source said, “What else can you expect from the enemy in times of war?”