Draft:Yevgeny Prigozhin
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Yevgeny Prigozhin (1961–2023) was a Russian oligarch and founder and commander of the Wagner Group. He was an important figure in the Russo-Ukrainian war as he led and directed Wagner forces into the battlefields of Ukraine and committed massive amounts of war crimes and human rights violations.[1]
From hot dog vendor to oligarch warlord[edit]
Prigozhin started out his career as a humble hot dog vendor in Saint Petersburg (then known as Leningrad before the collapse of the Soviet Union). Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1995 he decided to pursue founding businesses to gain prominence and grow his monetary influence (much like every other oligarch was doing during the time).[2] He eventually was known as "Putin’s chef" for serving Putin at his restaurant, but this was a misnomer as he himself said in 2023 that he could not cook.[3]
Prigozhin then used his influence to become a significant member of the Russian oligarchy and an important and close ally of Putin within his inner circle. Putin often relied on Prigozhin’s military expertise to direct troops on the battlefields of various republics and countries that Wagner operated in.[4]
Death[edit]
Prigozhin was alleged dead on August 23, 2023, from a plane crash in Tver Oblast. He also allegedly died alongside Dmitry Utkin, another Wagner leader.[5] However, it was initially not confirmed due to the constant spread of misinformation surrounding his death. Eventually, after DNA tests were conducted on the bodies, it was confirmed to belong to Prigozhin, thus officially confirming his death.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ https://www.rferl.org/amp/russia-ukraine-wagner-mercenaries-prigozhin/32473756.html
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/24/yevgeny-prigozhin-the-hotdog-seller-who-rose-to-the-top-of-putin-war-machine-wagner-group
- ↑ Mercenary Prigozhin warns Russia could face revolution unless elite gets serious about war by Guy Faulconbridge (May 24, 20232:25 AM PDT) Reuters.
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/who-is-yevgeny-prigozhin-2023-08-23/#:~:text=%2D%20In%202014%2C%20Prigozhin%20founded%20Wagner,atrocities%2C%20which%20Prigozhin%20has%20denied
- ↑ Helen Livingstone and Pjotr Sauer, Who are the other Wagner group leaders presumed dead in plane crash? The Guardian, 24 August 2023.
- ↑ https://news.yahoo.com/russia-confirms-death-wagner-leaders-110836440.html