Yevgeny Prigozhin leads the Wagner Group’s involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a high-profile, provocative mercenary leader. He has a long history of leadership in Moscow.

What is the Wagner Group?

During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Wagner Group has worked alongside militant mercenaries. When Ukraine and Russia fought over the Crimean region in 2014, Wagner’s origins appear to have begun. Prigozhin said on social media that he wanted to develop fighters who could defend Russian interests in the region. A number of African countries have been affected by the group’s activities, including Libya, Syria, and several others.

As a result of the Ukraine war, the paramilitary force has grown exponentially, with tens of thousands of fighters now under its control. A frequent clash between Prigozhin and Russian military leaders has occurred as the Wagner Group’s head throughout the conflict. In the videos, he contradicts the Russian narrative that the military operation was smooth. Often, he asserts that his forces led the fight in Ukraine, whereas he questions the competence of Russian forces. He recorded a video alongside uniformed dead bodies in May, cursing the lack of preparedness of leaders.

Putin and Prigozhin: what is their relationship?

Putin and Prigozhin share a hometown, St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad). Prigozhin served a decade-long prison sentence starting in his teenage years before starting a hot-dog stand. Putin rose from KGB insider to Russian leader.

His hospitality industry clout quickly earned him Putin’s attention. Prigozhin served Putin’s state dinners, including one with George W. Bush in 2006, which earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef.”

Putin helped Prigozhin open a school-lunch factory on generous state-funded loans. At least part of Prigozhin’s ownership in Concord Management and Consulting was implicated in pro-Trump trolling operations during the 2016 election by Justice Department officials.

What motivated Prigozhin to do what he did?

On Friday, Prigozhin criticised the country’s leadership for starting the war and stated that Ukrainian forces were pushing back the Russian army. In the evening of Friday, Prigozhin claimed that Russian military leaders had ordered strikes against his men, which resulted in the death of thousands of men.

“The war was needed for a bunch of scumbags to triumph and show how strong of an army they are,” Prigozhin said Friday, speculating that the effort was part of the defense minister’s plan to get promoted.