Is Yevgeny Prigozhin Still Alive? Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jun 27, 2023
Is Yevgeny Prigozhin Still Alive?
Yes, Yevgeny Prigozhin is still alive. He was born on June 1, 1961, in Leningrad, which is now known as Saint Petersburg, Russia. Prigozhin is a Russian oligarch, the leader of a private military company called the Wagner Group, and a former close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, in June 2023, he allegedly launched a coup.
Prigozhin's Wagner Group has been involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. He is also the owner of Concord Management and Consulting, a company accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election.
In 2018, the US Department of Justice indicted Prigozhin on charges related to conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to interfere with the US election. Currently, he is under house arrest in Russia.
Despite the charges against him, Prigozhin continues to hold significant influence in Russia. He maintains a close relationship with Putin and is considered one of his most trusted advisors. Additionally, he is a wealthy individual, with a net worth estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
It is important to note that Prigozhin is a controversial figure due to his ties to President Putin, alleged financing of the Wagner Group, and involvement in election meddling in various countries. He also owns a catering company that has provided services for the Kremlin, earning him the nickname "Putin's chef." Despite his controversial reputation and activities, there is no information to suggest that Yevgeny Prigozhin has passed away at this time.
Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin?
Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian businessman who has held various roles, including being a prominent figure in the private military sector and having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor that has been involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. Additionally, Prigozhin owns Concord Management and Consulting, a company accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election.
Born on June 1, 1961, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg, Russia), Prigozhin initially made a name for himself in the food industry and gained success as a restaurateur by the early 2000s. He became known for hosting extravagant parties attended by Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials.
In 2014, Prigozhin established the Wagner Group, which has faced allegations of human rights abuses and its members being linked to war crimes in conflicts such as Ukraine, Syria, and Libya.
The US Department of Justice indicted Prigozhin in 2018 on charges related to conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to interfere with the US election. He is currently under house arrest in Russia. His political connections have attracted significant attention and suspicion, with accusations of involvement in Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and alleged meddling in other countries elections. Prigozhin has consistently denied any involvement in these activities.
Despite the charges against him, Prigozhin maintains a position of power in Russia. He is considered one of Putin's most trusted advisors and maintains a close relationship with the Russian president. Prigozhin is also a wealthy individual, with an estimated net worth in the billions of dollars.
It is important to note that Prigozhin has faced sanctions from the US government and European Union, targeting his businesses, associates, and assets in response to the allegations against him.
Wagner Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin
Yevgeny Prigozhin, known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is the founder and leader of the controversial private military contractor, Wagner Group. Wagner Group has been linked to hostile actions in Syria and Ukraine.
Prigozhin initially denied involvement with Wagner but later confirmed his role as the organization's founder in September 2022. He established the Wagner Group in May 2014 to support Russian forces in the war in Donbas. Prigozhin has also faced accusations of financing the Wagner Group and meddling in foreign elections.
Aside from Wagner Group, Prigozhin has ventured into the mining, oil, and gas industries, as well as private mercenaries and security forces. His close connections to Putin have granted him immense power and influence.
The Wagner Group is often referred to as a "shadow army" acting on behalf of the Russian government, with Prigozhin being suspected as its de facto leader. The group's activities are secretive, but they have been associated with significant incidents such as the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet in 2014. In Syria, the Wagner Group has faced allegations of human rights violations and war crimes. Prigozhin denies responsibility for these actions and accuses the US of defamation.
Recent reports suggest that Prigozhin has been expanding his influence in Africa by engaging with government officials and establishing businesses. He has also been involved in funding political campaigns in Russia and leading the opposition against Putin's rule. Despite controversies, Prigozhin remains a powerful figure in Russian politics and business, drawing attention and scrutiny to his activities.
What Charges Does Yevgeny Prigozhin Still Face?
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian warlord, is still facing charges for his armed insurrection, despite the Kremlin's promise that the charges would be dropped, according to state media reports. The prosecutor general's office confirmed that the charges against Prigozhin have not been dropped, and the Russian security service, FSB, is still investigating him.
Prigozhin, who has close ties to the Kremlin, has not been seen or heard from since he left the southern army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, which his Wagner militia briefly took over. The Kremlin initially stated that the case against him would be ended and claimed that Prigozhin had agreed to leave for Belarus.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held calls with the presidents of Iran and Qatar, who expressed their support for his actions. The defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, made a public appearance in images released by Russia's defense ministry, where he inspected troops and discussed the progress of the war in Ukraine. The timing of these releases seems to suggest coordinated messaging by the Kremlin.
Recent reports indicate that Prigozhin has been expanding his influence in Africa by establishing businesses and engaging with government officials. He has also been involved in funding political campaigns in Russia and leading the opposition against Putin's rule. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Prigozhin remains a powerful figure in Russian politics and business.
Meanwhile, the European Union's chief diplomat described Prigozhin's rebellion as a crack in Putin's military power and emphasized the importance of continuing support for Ukraine. EU foreign ministers approved additional funding for the bloc's military support to Ukraine and discussed the response to the events in Russia.
The situation has raised doubts about the stability of Putin's regime, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointing to cracks in Putin's authority. The unfolding crisis continues to be closely watched as it unfolds.
Yevgeny Prigozhin News
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious leader of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, has emerged as a central figure in Russia's conflict with Ukraine. His bold and unprecedented criticism of Russia's military leadership has raised concerns about his influence and potential threat to President Vladimir Putin. However, the extent of his actual power remains a subject of debate.
In a dramatic turn of events on June 24, Prigozhin commanded his forces to march toward Moscow, calling for an armed rebellion to overthrow Russia's military command. Wagner fighters swiftly seized control of crucial military sites in Rostov-on-Don, a vital logistical and command center for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In response, the Russian military swiftly mobilized to defend the capital, with Putin expressing strong condemnation for Prigozhin's "betrayal" and "treason." Yet, within hours, the Kremlin announced that Prigozhin had agreed to a deal to relocate to neighboring Belarus, a country that has supported Russia's intervention in Ukraine. The charges against him for inciting an armed rebellion were subsequently dropped, and Wagner forces vacated Rostov.
The Wagner Group has gained infamy for its brutal tactics and cruelty on the battlefield. Off the frontlines, it has displayed its ruthlessness through videos allegedly depicting the execution of defective fighters in Ukraine. The group's emblem, a sledgehammer, was adopted after reports of its use in the execution of a dissident from within their ranks.
Critics argue that Prigozhin thrives on showcasing excessive cruelty as part of his brand. Whether it is a calculated display, a form of trolling, or an immersive performance, it perpetuates a culture of violence. This observation was made by Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in an article for the independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta.
On February 14, 2023, Prigozhin admitted to being the mastermind behind the Internet Research Agency, a notorious network of troll factories. The agency, according to the FBI, conducted an extensive disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. These allegations were vehemently denied by Prigozhin and his legal team, leading to legal action against journalists reporting on his connection to Russian troll farms.
Prigozhin initially denied any involvement with the Wagner Group, which he established in 2014 as a private military company. However, in September 2022, he publicly acknowledged his role in its formation. Alexandra Prokopenko, an independent Russian analyst, suggests that Prigozhin's mercenary outfit provided "gray services" for Putin and his inner circle, operating in regions where official involvement was undesirable.
Examples include the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine, as well as deployments in Africa and Syria, where Wagner mercenaries engaged not only in combat but also in protecting oil facilities. The influence and significance of Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia's conflicts remain a subject of intrigue and ongoing analysis.
Is Yevgeny Prigozhin Still Alive - FAQs
Yes, Yevgeny Prigozhin is still alive.
Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian oligarch, mercenary chief, and a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Yes, Yevgeny Prigozhin has faced several charges including for his alleged involvement in election meddling in foreign countries and for his role in the founding and leadership of the Wagner Group.
Yevgeny Prigozhin's current residence is not publicly known.
Yevgeny Prigozhin is associated with several businesses including restaurants, private military contractors, and mining and extraction companies.