Russian authorities returned, according to Russian media, 10 billion rubles (102 million euros) to the leader of Wagner exiled in Belarus, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin’s “treasure” was seized in Russian police raids during Prigozhin’s advance on Moscow last month.

Law enforcement authorities in St. Petersburg seized the large sum of money – along with “hundreds of thousands” of US dollars and five gold bars – in raids on properties linked to Prigozhin on June 24, according to the Fontanka news website. The photos with the cardboard boxes outside Wagner’s headquarters had gone viral.

It is noted that in his message on Tuesday, Prigozhin thanked the supporters of his recent failed rebellion.

“I want you to understand that our “March of Justice” was aimed at neutralizing traitors and mobilizing our society,” Prigozhin said, in the 41-second voice message posted on Telegram. “In the near future, I’m sure it will see our next victories on the front. Thanks guys!”

In the latest statement posted on his own Telegram channels on June 26, the Wagner chief had said he had ordered his men back to base to prevent a bloodbath.

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that Prigozhin arrived in Belarus last Tuesday, but his exact whereabouts remain unclear.

At the same time, however, the chief of staff of the Russian Ministry of Defense Valery Gerasimov, as well as General Sergei Surovikin they have given no signs of life since the mutiny.