Who is the Wagner Group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin?

The Wagner Group, an elite group of mercenaries that fight with the Russian Army, is led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is currently in charge of a rebellion against Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.The head of the Wagner mercenary group in Russia claims to have taken control of "all military facilities" in Rostov-on-Don, a city in the southern region of the nation. He said that Sergei Shoigu, the defense minister of Russia, was behind the aircraft assault that killed 2,000 soldiers at Wagner's camp in Ukraine. He is urging an armed uprising to remove the commander of the Russian military as retaliation.

It was cloaked in secret for years before becoming notorious. Questions concerning the renowned Wagner organization and the motives of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin are now circulating as an apparent power struggle causes confusion and claims of an insurrection in Russia.

Wagner forces have been employed to retake cities like Bakhmut as part of Russia's strategy in Ukraine. Since few weeks ago, Prigozhin has harshly lambasted the top brass of the Russian military, branding them inept and even traitors. Additionally, he has declined to agree to a contract for collaboration with the Russian Defense Ministry.

When Prigozhin claimed that Russian soldiers had struck Wagner field camps in eastern Ukraine, tensions between the Russian military ministry and Wagner drastically increased. Late on Friday, Prigozhin released remarks captured on camera.

Vladimir Putin was enraged by Yevgeny Prigozhin's statement, calling it a "betrayal" and pledging to hold those involved accountable. Prigozhin believes that seeking justice is his goal rather than staging a military takeover.He made a call for a rebellion against the military authority of Russia, but his specific ideas were characteristically hazy.

Political infighting in Russia

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the controversial millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, is heard speaking in this screen grab from a video that was published by Prigozhin Press Service on June 23, 2023. The interview was conducted at an undisclosed location.

Press service of Progozin FROM AP, FILE

Early on Saturday morning, Prigozhin reported that Wagner soldiers had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia and were now in Rostov-on-Don, where the Russian military's southern regional command is based and in charge of overseeing the battle in Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defense stated that Prigozhin's soldiers seemed to be in control of the military headquarters during an intelligence meeting.

Yevgeny Prigozhin: Who is He? Yevgeny Prigozhin is a well-known Russian businessman who founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor (PMC) that has participated in hostilities in Libya, Syria, and the Ukraine. He originally denied having any connection to the organisation, but later acknowledged starting it. Due to contracts his catering business has with the Kremlin, Prigozhin is known as "Putin's chef" and is a skillful manipulator of the media and social media. Because of his accused involvement in the Internet Research Agency's alleged political and electoral activity in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, he is wanted by the FBI. Additionally, he has a tense relationship with the Russian Ministry of Defense, openly criticizing its leaders and charging them with denying the ministry with funding. Because of his accused involvement in the Internet Research Agency's alleged political and electoral activity in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, he is wanted by the FBI. Additionally, Putin has a tense relationship with Russia's Ministry of Defense, openly denouncing its officials and charging them with depriving his forces in Ukraine of supplies. He is currently in charge of an armed uprising against the Russian authorities.

The Wagner Group: What is it?

The Wagner Group, also known as PMC Wagner in official capacity, is well-known for its participation in numerous conflicts and activities across the globe. Due to its covert nature, it is frequently referred to as a "shadow army". According to reports, the Wagner Group has sent mercenaries into wars including those in the Central African Republic, the Syrian Civil War, and the Ukrainian conflict. Its creation is thought to have occurred in 2010, but it first surfaced in 2014 when it aided pro-Russian rebel militants in eastern Ukraine. It only had more than 5,000 fighters at the time, and it largely operated in the Middle East and Africa.

However, when the separatist conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine developed following Russia's annexation of Crimea, its strength and influence significantly increased.

Wagner quickly developed an infamous reputation for its ruthless methods, displaying its prowess in numerous international locations. The group fought alongside President Bashar Assad's regime, which was backed by Russia, in the Syrian Civil War. The group was heavily involved in Russia's seizure of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which allowed it to play a significant part in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Vladimir Putin was enraged by Yevgeny Prigozhin's statement, calling it a "betrayal" and pledging to hold those involved accountable. Prigozhin believes that seeking justice is his goal rather than staging a military takeover.