Prigozhin

Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin (Russian: Евгений Викторович Пригожин; 1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023) was a Russian businessman and oligarch who founded the Wagner Group, a private military company (PMC) that conducted armed operations on behalf of Russian interests in multiple countries.

Born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Prigozhin had a criminal record in his youth and later built a diversified business portfolio. He gained prominence as a catering entrepreneur, building the Concord Catering group and supplying food services to Russian state institutions and the military. His close ties to the Kremlin earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef,” and his business later expanded into media ventures and other sectors.

Wagner Group and operations: Around 2014, Prigozhin organized the Wagner Group, a private mercenary force used in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and other locations. The group operated with a degree of deniability and maintained informal links to Russian security services and the state. Wagner’s activities attracted widespread international condemnation for alleged human rights abuses and violations of law, as well as scrutiny over the role of private military companies in state strategy.

Sanctions and controversies: Prigozhin and related entities were sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions for Wagner-related activities and interference in foreign affairs. He faced legal and political scrutiny across several countries.

June 2023 rebellion and death: In June 2023, Prigozhin led an armed mutiny against Russian military leadership, briefly advancing toward Moscow before withdrawing following a negotiated settlement that sent him to Belarus. In August 2023, he was killed when a plane carrying him and other Wagner associates crashed near Moscow; official inquiries followed, and mourning statements were issued by Russian authorities.

Legacy: Prigozhin’s death left Wagner’s leadership and operations in a state of flux. The group continued to operate under new leadership with ongoing scrutiny from Western governments, illustrating the persistent use and ambiguity of private military forces in contemporary conflicts.