[Magnum44]

My question would be how could Putin afford not to purge the rogue general?

[Gunslingr3]

Given Russian losses and the fact they’re dusting off T-55s for use, I assume they need them.

Prig is seen here saying they’ll be back on Aug 5th:

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1678884157122912262/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1678884157122912262&currentTweetUser=visegrad24

[ETCM]

My question would be how could Putin afford not to purge the rogue general?

In the military, if you allow a subordinate to openly challenge your authority, you are done. Prigozhin is very popular, and Putin had to have seen video of Russians cheering him in the streets, even after his troops shot down 6 Russian aircraft and killed an unknown number of their crew. That makes Pigozhin very dangerous.

Of course, we have no idea where he really is, and he could pop up any day. Maybe back in Africa. But dead or jailed is quite possible. Putin doing it quietly would be proper caution considering Prig's public popularity. General Surovikin is also MIA. There are few riskier endeavors in Russia than crossing Putin.