Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner?

Meet Yevgeny Prigozhin: The Controversial Figure Behind Russia’s Wagner Paramilitary Group

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of Russia’s notorious Wagner paramilitary group, is a man with a checkered past. Convicted of “assault, robbery, and fraud” in 1981, he spent nearly a decade behind bars. But that didn’t stop him from rising to power and becoming a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Journey from Hot Dogs to War Crimes

After his release from prison, Prigozhin started selling hot dogs on street corners to make ends meet. However, fate had bigger plans for him. Through his catering business, he crossed paths with a young Vladimir Putin, who was then a low-level government official. This encounter would change the course of Prigozhin’s life.

The Birth of Wagner and Allegations of Dirty Work

Prigozhin’s catering company, Concord Catering, began receiving lucrative contracts from the Russian government in the mid-to-late 1990s. But according to a revealing Wall Street Journal documentary, these contracts were just the tip of the iceberg.

A State-Backed Paramilitary Cartel

Wagner, initially a small group of former Russian soldiers, quickly grew into a powerful force. Accused of committing war crimes, including massacres and rape, the group operates as a “state-backed paramilitary cartel.” Their activities span continents, from South America to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

The Kremlin’s Connection and Controversial Interference

The Wall Street Journal’s investigation uncovered 64 companies linked to Wagner, serving as front companies to facilitate money laundering and asset movement. The report implicates the Kremlin in this web of illicit activities.

Confrontations and Losses

Wagner troops have faced off against U.S. forces in Syria, resulting in devastating losses. In Ukraine, the group has suffered heavy casualties, recruiting convicts from prisons to bolster their ranks. This strategy allows the Russian government to downplay their own losses in official reports.

A Figure of Contention

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s influence extends beyond Wagner. He is also associated with the Internet Research Agency, accused of interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In a bold statement, he declared that interference would continue, showcasing his audacity and determination.