Belarus President's Response to Wagner Chief's Life Threats

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had warned Russian mercenary chiefs Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin about potential threats to their lives, while insisting that Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. Lukashenko, who helped broker a deal allowing Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus, stated that he had persuaded Russian President Vladimir Putin not to harm Prigozhin. Lukashenko also dismissed suggestions that Putin was involved in the recent plane crash that Prigozhin was reportedly on board. The Kremlin denied Western claims that Prigozhin was killed on its orders, while Lukashenko affirmed that Wagner fighters would continue to operate in Belarus.