WSJ: Prigozhin's Mutiny Prompted Xi Jinping To Launch Purges

• 20.02.2026, 16:14

The PRC chief is frightened by corruption and army loyalty.

Chinese President Si Jinping has launched a new wave of purges in the Chinese army after Wagner PMC founder Evgeny Prigozhin attempted a mutiny in Russia.

This was reported by The Wall Street Journal citing sources close to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

The publication's interlocutors said Moscow's failure to win a quick victory over Ukraine and then Prigozhin showed China's leaders that large-scale modernization of the armed forces does not automatically result in a formidable fighting force.

Si Jinping, concerned about corruption undermining the country's fighting ability, concluded that military hardware alone is not enough to ensure defense if it is not backed by absolute political loyalty, the publication said.