The Wagner mercenary group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, threatened on Saturday to “go to the end” to destabilize Russia’s military leadership. He accused the military of attacking his soldiers and vowed to “destroy everything that stands in our way.” Prigozhin’s challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most daring since the offensive in Ukraine began last year.
Later, he claimed, his fighters shot down a Russian military helicopter. Prigozhin’s men have been at the forefront of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. They are notorious for their cruelty and have been charged with war crimes. The Russian prosecutor general has stated that Prigozhin is being investigated for “armed rebellion.” The investigation’s outcome is unknown, but Prigozh’s challenge to Russian military leadership is indicative of the country’s rising conflict.
Here’s all you need to know about Yevgeny Prigozhin
Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian businessman, mercenary commander, and Putin confidant. Prigozhin is known as “Putin’s chef” since he owns restaurants and catering enterprises that serve the Kremlin. Prigozhin, a former Soviet prisoner, now owns a network of powerful firms, including the Russian state-backed mercenary firm Wagner Group and three companies accused of meddling in the 2016 and 2018 US elections.
Yevgeny Prigozhin was born in 1961 in Leningrad (now Nov St. Petersburg). He had a tough life, having spent time in a children’s home and subsequently a juvenile jail institution. Following his release, he worked as a cook before opening his own restaurant in St. Petersburg. He began to obtain government contracts in the early 2000s, to feed school children and government workers. He also became a close associate of Putin, who was then the mayor of St. Petersburg.
Prigozhin is thought to have created the Wagner Group in 2014, a private military contractor active in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine. The Wagner Group has been charged with human rights violations such as torture and summary killings. Prigozhin is also suspected of being the mastermind behind the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a troll farm accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. The IRA utilized social media to disseminate Trump-supporting propaganda and foment discontent among American voters.
The United States and the European Union have both sanctioned Prigozhin’s activities. The US Department of Justice is presently investigating him for possible criminal charges. Prigozhin is a divisive personality, but he wields considerable authority. He is close to Putin and oversees a massive corporate network. He represents the dark side of Russian power, and he poses a threat to global democracy and stability.
Here are some more facts regarding Prigozhin’s life and career
In the Soviet Union, he was convicted of robbery and fraud and sentenced to nine years in prison. He owns several restaurants and catering businesses, notably Concord Catering, which has received billions of dollars in government contracts. He founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor active in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine.
Prigozhin is thought to be the mastermind behind the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a troll farm suspected of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. The United States and the European Union have both sanctioned him for his actions. The US Department of Justice is presently investigating him for possible criminal charges.