The brief but potent mutiny of mercenary chieftain Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his Wagner troops in Russia on Saturday marks a turning point in President Vladimir Putin's 23-year rule. Before the revolt, Mr. Putin appeared invincible, leading a highly personalized power structure, bestowing wealth upon various clans in exchange for loyalty. Now, in a flash, he is humiliated and his structure cracked. The implications are deeply worrisome for Russia, for Ukraine and for the world.
How Mr. Putin reacts to this, in prosecuting the war against Ukraine and in exercising power at home, will be crucial.