Was Putin Concerned About the Warm Welcome for Prigozhin? He Breaks Disappearance Rumors with a 'Selfie'

'Disappearance Rumors' Putin's Official Appearance... Handshakes and Selfies with Citizens
"Unusual... An Attempt to Portray a 'Supported Leader'" Analysis

Russian President Vladimir Putin dispelled rumors of his disappearance by meeting citizens and taking selfies. This was his first official appearance outside the capital Moscow since the rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group.

On the 28th, President Vladimir Putin meets with citizens and takes photos in Derbent, located in the Republic of Dagestan in southwestern Russia.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the UK Guardian and others on the 29th (local time), President Putin delivered an official speech in Derbent, located in the southwestern Republic of Dagestan, the day before to promote tourism. After the speech, he spent time shaking hands and taking photos with citizens.

Derbent is a historic city about 2,000 km from Moscow, known for its highly diverse ethnic composition due to successive occupations by Persia, Arabs, and Mongols, making it a region of high military strategic value.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Derbent citizens were bustling to take selfies with President Putin. Russian state TV vividly reported on Putin surrounded by citizens. While taking photos, President Putin also gave a subtle smile.

It is considered "very unusual" that President Putin met directly with citizens on the streets amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. He has maintained a closed-off approach, spending security costs amounting to hundreds of billions of Korean won to prevent assassination threats.

In particular, this was his first official appearance after the so-called disappearance rumors following the "one-day coup" by Prigozhin, once a close aide. Foreign media analyzed that "(Putin) rarely showed himself talking and shaking hands with people," portraying the image of a 'supported leader.'

Prigozhin Welcomed as He Advanced... Putin Says "No Doubt About People's Support"

Prigozhin, welcomed by Russian citizens as he leaves Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

It is also possible that Putin took into account the scenes broadcast worldwide on the 24th, when Prigozhin was warmly welcomed and supported by Russian citizens immediately after the coup attempt.

At that time, as Wagner Group vehicles passed through Rostov Oblast in southern Russia, young men came out onto the road and applauded, and a woman was spotted showing a thumbs-up with her left hand. Later, when the rebellion stopped and they withdrew from Rostov-on-Don, residents gathered on site also applauded Prigozhin. Prigozhin even opened the car window and took selfies with the residents.

In fact, when Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic government, said about Prigozhin's coup, "There was not a single person in Dagestan who did not support the decisions of the Russian Federation leaders," President Putin boasted of the support of Russian citizens, saying, "I had no doubt about what kind of reaction would come across Dagestan and Russia."

Meanwhile, on the 27th, President Putin announced that he would investigate the funds provided to the Wagner Group and Prigozhin's catering business. This has raised expectations of a 'bloody purge,' as government and military officials related to the business may become targets of punishment.