Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin: Who Was The Mysterious Russian Figure?

In the world of geopolitics, there are figures who manage to remain shrouded in mystery while wielding significant influence. One such enigmatic personality is Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian entrepreneur often dubbed as "Putin's Chef" due to his close ties to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin's rise to prominence, multifaceted business ventures, and alleged involvement in covert operations have earned him both admiration and notoriety on the global stage.

The Early Days and Rise to Power

Yevgeny Prigozhin was born on February 1, 1961, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. Little is known about his early life, but he later became involved in various business endeavors. His rise to prominence began in the 1990s when he ventured into the catering business, establishing a company named Concord Catering. This business eventually led to the creation of the holding company Concord, which expanded its interests into a range of industries including restaurants, catering, media, and even paramilitary services.

The Culinary Connection and Putin's Favor

Prigozhin's nickname, "Putin's Chef," stems from his catering company's contract to provide meals to the Kremlin. This connection led to speculation about his personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin. While the extent of their personal ties remains a subject of conjecture, it's clear that Prigozhin's businesses have profited greatly from government contracts. Some reports suggest that their relationship might have started when Prigozhin catered to Putin during his tenure as the Mayor of Saint Petersburg.

***Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin in 2011.***

The Wagner Group and Private Military Operations

One of the most intriguing facets of Prigozhin's influence is his alleged involvement in private military operations through a paramilitary group known as the Wagner Group. This group gained international attention for its purported roles in conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War and the Ukrainian crisis. Prigozhin has denied direct involvement with the group, but evidence linking Concord to the Wagner Group's activities has raised suspicions about his connection to these covert operations.

Election Meddling and Disinformation Campaigns

Prigozhin's name has also been associated with Russia's alleged efforts to meddle in foreign elections and sow discord through disinformation campaigns. The Internet Research Agency, a troll farm believed to be funded by Prigozhin, is accused of orchestrating social media campaigns to influence public opinion in various countries, including during the 2016 United States presidential election.

Legal Troubles and Sanctions

Prigozhin's rise to power has not been without legal troubles. In 2016, he was indicted by the United States for his alleged role in the Internet Research Agency's interference in the 2016 election. He was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, among other charges. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also imposed sanctions on Prigozhin and his affiliated entities.

‘Plane Crash’

On 24th August it was reported that Prigozhin died in a plane crash near Moscow with Vladimir Putin publicly sending his condolences to his family. The Russian president said Prigozhin was a talented businessman who he had known since the 1990s and described Prigozhin as "a person with a complicated background who made serious mistakes in his life" , also noting he was also a successful entrepreneur.

The mercenary chief had led a brief rebellion in June this year by demanding the resignation of defence minister Sergei Shoigu as he marched his troops towards Moscow before calling off their advance.

It has been suggested that the aircraft was deliberately brought down by surface to air missiles within Russia and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied that Ukraine was involved, stating "We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does."