His name was on the manifest of a passenger plane that crashed in Russia
But it wasn’t until September 2022 that Prigozhin acknowledged founding, leading and financing Wagner. By then, his mercenaries — including men he’d recruited in Russian prisons — were fighting and dying by scores in Ukraine, especially in the shattered town of Bakhmut.Prigozhin fostered Wagner’s reputation for ruthlessness, and the mercenaries have been accused by Western countries and U.N. experts of human rights abuses throughout Africa, including in Central African Republic, Libya and Mali.
Prigozhin toured Russian prisons to recruit fighters, promising pardons if they survived a half-year tour of front line duty with Wagner. After the capture of Soldear, Prigozhin increasingly raised his public profile, for months boasting almost daily about Wagner’s purported victories, sardonically mocking his enemies and complaining in profanity-laced diatribes about the military brass.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wagner chief Prigozhin appears in first video since Russian mutinyIn a brief video shared by Russian social media channels, a person that appears to be the exiled mercenary chief says he is recruiting “real strongmen.”
Read more »
Wagner Group Prigozhin chief posts first video since failed Russian mutiny, hints he is in AfricaRussian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin posted his first video address since leading a short-lived mutiny in late June, appearing in a social media clip that he suggested was shot in Africa.
Read more »
Top Russian general missing since Wagner mutiny 'fired'The news, reported by state media, follows months of speculation about the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who was known to have been close to mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Read more »
Top Russian general linked to the head of rebellious mercenary group Wagner is reportedly dismissedGen. Sergei Surovikin, a former commander of Russia's forces in Ukraine who was linked to the leader of a brief armed rebellion, has been dismissed as chief...
Read more »
Putin eyes replacement for top military chief 'fired' after Wagner mutinyGeneral Sergei Surovikin and his relatives have reportedly been advised to stay under the radar so that he is 'forgotten.'
Read more »