Once a low-profile businessman who benefited from having President Vladimir Putin as a powerful patron, Yevgeny Prigozhin moved into the global spotlight with Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Prigozhin and Putin go way back, with both born in Leningrad, what is now known as St. Petersburg.
“Vladimir Putin saw how I built a business out of a kiosk, he saw that I don’t mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests,” Prigozhin recalled in an interview published in 2011. In Ukraine, Prigozhin’s mercenaries have become a major force in the war, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles with Ukrainian forces.
“These are someone’s fathers and someone’s sons,” Prigozhin said then. “The scum that doesn’t give us ammunition will eat their guts in hell.”Prigozhin has castigated the top military brass, accusing top-ranking officers of incompetence. His remarks were unprecedented for Russia’s tightly controlled political system, in which only Putin could air such criticism.
They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Prigozhin and associates repeatedly in connection with both his alleged election interference and his leadership of the Wagner Group.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian mercenary boss Prigozhin in standoff with Russian army amid 'armed mutiny'Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to suggest he had sent an armed convoy on a 1,200-kilometer charge towards Moscow on Saturday, June 24, in an unlikely attempt to topple the military leadership. READ:
Read more »
Russian mercenary boss Prigozhin takes Russian city amid 'armed mutiny'Rebellious Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday he had taken control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership amid what the authorities said was an armed mutiny.
Read more »
US and Western officials caught off guard by Prigozhin’s escalation in RussiaUS and Western officials are being careful not to weigh in on the events unfolding in Russia because of how Russian President Vladimir Putin could weaponize any perceived involvement by the west in the escalating crisis, sources familiar with the administration’s thinking told CNN.
Read more »
Putin vows to crush ‘armed mutiny’ after mercenaries seize southern Russian cityRussian President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush what he called an armed mutiny after the private army of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin seized control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership. | Reuters
Read more »
‘Betrayal’: Putin vows to punish leaders of armed rebellionRussian President Vladimir Putin vowed harsh punishment for the organizers of an armed rebellion spearheaded by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led his troops out of Ukraine and into a key southern city. | AP
Read more »
Chilean president writes to Taylor Swift, inviting her to perform in his countryGet you a president that would bring Taylor Swift to the country for a concert. Fortunately for Chile, they have one. | via philstarlife
Read more »