If it was indeed a ruse, Putin wouldn’t handle it in such a terrible way that makes him look weak and incapable of defending his rule. He also wouldn’t sacrifice several helicopters with crew onboard just for show (why do that if you can make up any bs to show on tv). None of this was needed to send wagner to Belarus if that was the goal. You all are giving Putin way too much credit, and it’s exactly what he wants. He is not a “strong leader who has everything under control and a bunch of elaborate plans for any occasion”. He is weak and delusional, and has been for a long time. The king is naked, and it’s time for everyone to realize it.

he negotiated the settlement with Prigozhin

He didn’t even do that, he was calling all his friends (Tokayev, Erdogan etc) to do it for him, but only Lukashenko agreed, because he owes Putin for staying in power. Today Lukashenko said that “if Russia falls, we will all die under its ruins”, which makes it even more clear that this is a desperate alliance of two very weak rulers.