Speculation surrounds the Kremlin's next move regarding Prighozin (Image: Getty)

       The Kremlin faces a momentous challenge in maintaining control as long as Yevgeny Prighozin appears to go unpunished for last month's abortive military uprising, according to a prominent Russian dissident.

       Little has been heard or seen of the Wagner boss since the event of late June which saw mercenary fighters loyal to Prigozhin embark on a march on Moscow before coming to an abrupt halt.

       The incident rocked the Kremlin and has raised question marks over Putin's ability to maintain power.

       Anti-Putin critic Yuri Felshtinsky believes the Kremlin's failure to make an example out of Prighozin following the attempted coup leaves Russia at a crossroads.

       READ MORE: 'Senior officers turning on Putin' as Russian army left in ‘chaos and disarray’

       Dr Felshtinsky, author of Blowing up Ukraine: The Return of Russian Terror told the Express Online: "For the Kremlin to maintain credibility as ruler of Russia, it either has to kill Prighozin or arrest him publicly.

       "The fact that neither has happened suggests that he is alive and that the Kremlin has been landed with a thorny authority problem and the rebellion may not be quite over yet.

       "It is potentially the most momentous time in twenty-first century Russia."

       Putin indicated that he offered the Wagner private military company the opportunity to continue operating as a unified entity under their existing commander, following their short-lived rebellion.

       Speculation surrounds the Putin's next move regarding Prighozin (Image: Getty)

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       Recent sightings of some mercenaries in Belarus suggest the possibility of the group relocating there.

       Putin's remarks seem to reflect his efforts to secure the loyalty of the highly capable Wagner mercenaries, who have been involved in the conflict in Ukraine, as their brief revolt last month posed a significant threat to his 23-year rule.

       The fate of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, remains uncertain following the armed rebellion that took place on June 23-24.

       Additionally, new divisions within the Russian military have emerged as the war in Ukraine enters its 17th month, with Ukraine launching a counteroffensive against the invading forces.

       In an interview published on Friday in the business newspaper Kommersant, Putin discussed a gathering at the Kremlin attended by 35 commanders from the Wagner private military company, including Prigozhin, on June 29, which took place five days after the rebellion.

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       Putin acknowledged their contributions in Ukraine, criticized their involvement in the mutiny (which he had previously condemned as treason), and presented them with alternative options for future service.

       According to Putin's interview with Kommersant, one possibility entailed allowing Wagner to retain their current commander, known by the call sign "Gray Hair," who has led the private army in Ukraine for 16 months.

       This commander, Andrei Troshev, is a retired military officer who has played a prominent role in Wagner since its establishment in 2014.

       He has also faced sanctions from the European Union due to his involvement as the group's executive director in Syria.

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