This came out very much as I expected, knowing very little about this conflict besides a few headlines over the months: he basically summarizes what happened, calls it a tragedy, but importantly makes three main points:

• the 25,000 soldiers that Wagner controlled would’ve been much more effectively used against Russia’s enemies instead of marching to Moscow for an internal conflict
• Russia as a whole should feel proud that it held together, and anyone who rebelled now has a target on their foreheads
• Lukashenko was a very faithful and good lapdog who should be rewarded

In other words, the official state angle is “oh how tragic that a lack of blind patriotism caused us to lose the Ukraine conflict, fortunately anyone who isn’t patriotic and loyal to Putin will now be blamed for all our problems, even though Wagner itself will suffer no consequences (but you better believe any unpatriotic citizen or bureaucrat will be shown zero mercy.)”

So it gives Putin an excuse to retreat and “lose” the Ukraine war, while also consolidating power over his citizens, his (failed) military, and his (disobedient) Wagner militiamen, all with minimal bloodshed and maximal effectiveness. I don’t think Wagner ever really intended to do a coup, I think this was all just staged shock doctrine to retreat from Ukraine while saving face and reasserting unilateral control. Wagner is the first scapegoat pointing at the military who is the second scapegoat pointing at the evil West who is the real one to hate for refusing to roll over and give up Ukraine. Certainly Putin is blameless.

You know what the anchor noticeably didn’t do? He didn’t call for Wagner’s head on a platter like anyone truly upset about real treason would, and he essentially agreed with Wagner on the story: “nobody” died (except a few mystery helicopter pilots who apparently somehow don’t count), it’s unfortunate, show’s over, welcome to the new reality. There’s no remaining conflict between the major players just lingering resentment against Ukraine and the West. All wrapped up in a nice little half-treasonous bow.

He seems a bit depressed…

So, both “No Russian blood was spilled” and “Tragically several aircrews were lost.” Were the aircrews not Russian, or did they somehow die in a non-blood-spilling way?