The Mysterious Death of Russia's Mercenary Kingpin Prigozhin
Yevgeny Prigozhin was the leader of Wagner Group, a private military company that operated in several conflict zones around the world, often on behalf of the Russian government.
iexclusivenews reports that he was also a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, who nicknamed him “the chef” because of his catering business that served the Kremlin and other elite clients.
Prigozhin was involved in various shady activities, such as meddling in foreign elections, spreading disinformation, and orchestrating violence against opponents.
This online news outlet learnt that he was sanctioned by the US and the EU for his role in undermining democracy and human rights.
iexclusivenews recall that on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Prigozhin was on board a business jet that crashed near the city of Tver, halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. All 10 people on board, including some of his top lieutenants, were killed.
Russian authorities confirmed his death on Sunday, after conducting genetic testing on the recovered bodies. They did not reveal the cause of the crash, but said they were investigating all possible scenarios.
However, some Western officials and analysts suspect that Prigozhin was assassinated by the Kremlin, as a punishment for his recent mutiny against Russia’s military.
Two months before his death, Prigozhin led a daring revolt against Putin’s authority, using his mercenaries as a bargaining chip.
He demanded more autonomy and resources for Wagner Group, which he claimed was being exploited and neglected by the Russian state.
He also threatened to expose some of the Kremlin’s secrets, such as its involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014, which killed 298 people.
Prigozhin’s mutiny lasted for a day, during which he and his men advanced from Ukraine toward Moscow, clashing with Russian forces along the way.
The standoff ended when Putin agreed to negotiate with Prigozhin and grant him some concessions.
According to the deal, Prigozhin would be allowed to walk free without facing any charges and to resettle in Belarus, a neighboring country that is friendly to Russia.
His fighters would have three options: to join him in Belarus, to retire, or to rejoin the Russian army and return to Ukraine.
Wagner Group was one of the most powerful and influential private military companies in the world, with an estimated 10,000 fighters under its command.
It played a key role in Russia’s military interventions in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and other countries, where it supported pro-Russian forces and interests.
However, after Prigozhin’s death and mutiny, Wagner Group’s fate is uncertain. Some analysts believe that the group will be disbanded or absorbed by other Russian security structures.
Others think that it will continue to operate under a new leadership and name.
Whatever happens to Wagner Group, its legacy will remain as a controversial and mysterious chapter in the history of modern warfare.
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