Yes, that is what happened, IMO. One wonders how much money was wasted, in this obvious ploy.
CIA and the Biden administration were crazy to think they could buy of the mercenaries. most are Russian citizens who have family in Russia. Putin despite what the media says is popular in his country. Imagine how some of the mercenaries that we are using would react to a payoff by Russia. they e are mostly ex-military and I believe that they would try and do exactly what the Russian mercenaries did.