In a startling development, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious mercenary chief, announced on Saturday that he had taken control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don as part of a bid to oust the military leadership. The authorities have labeled this move as an armed mutiny. Here are some essential facts about Prigozhin, his background, and his involvement with the Wagner Group:
- Prigozhin’s high-profile presence near the front lines, combined with his aggressive public relations tactics and frequent feuds with the defense ministry, has made him one of the most recognizable figures in the war. Through his recruitment efforts, he has enlisted thousands of Russian prisoners to fight for the Wagner Group.
- Affectionately known as “Putin’s chef,” the 62-year-old Prigozhin earned this moniker due to his company’s catering contracts with the Kremlin. While the extent of his personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is unclear, they have crossed paths, and both hail from St. Petersburg.
- Following a lengthy prison sentence in the 1980s, Prigozhin started his entrepreneurial journey by selling hotdogs in his hometown. He gradually expanded his business ventures, eventually acquiring stakes in a supermarket chain and establishing his own restaurant and catering company.
- Prigozhin’s restaurant gained recognition for its fine cuisine and soon became a favorite venue for hosting city dignitaries, including the then deputy mayor Vladimir Putin.
- Through his catering firm, Concord, Prigozhin secured government supply contracts, significantly expanding the scope of his operations.
- In September of last year, Prigozhin openly acknowledged his founding of the private military group, the Wagner Group, in 2014—coinciding with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This marked a significant shift from his previous denials and legal actions against journalists who reported on the matter. The Wagner Group has been involved in conflicts in countries such as Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, and Mali.
- The Wagner Group also provided support to Russia-backed separatists who seized a portion of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in 2014.
- Last month, the group orchestrated a seizure of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut following intense and brutal fighting. During this campaign, Prigozhin brazenly broke with the taboos of Putin’s tightly controlled political system, launching profanity-laced insults towards Moscow’s top brass.
- Despite his criticisms, Prigozhin released a video expressing gratitude to the Kremlin while continuing his diatribe against the alleged treachery of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
- Prigozhin has faced international sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union for his involvement with the Wagner Group. He is also accused of funding the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm that the U.S. government claims attempted to influence U.S. elections.
The recent events surrounding Yevgeny Prigozhin’s seizure of Rostov-on-Don and his contentious role in the Wagner Group highlight the complexities and controversies associated with his activities. As the situation unfolds, both domestic and international stakeholders continue to monitor developments closely.
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