Born on June 1, 1961, in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, Russia, Yevgeny Prigozhin has been a prominent figure in both business and political circles. Here’s what you need to know about him:
Background and Criminal History: Yevgeny Prigozhin faced a criminal past, being convicted of assault, robbery, and fraud in 1981. He served time in a penal colony but was released in nine years, around the fall of the Soviet Union.
From Hot Dogs to Restaurants: After his release, Prigozhin ventured into the food business, starting with a hot dog stand. He later expanded into a chain of restaurants and established Concord Catering in 1996, which earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef.” His businesses received lucrative government contracts, including state banquets and feeding schools and military.
Online News and Troll Factory: Prigozhin also founded Concord Management and Consulting Company and launched an online news service. He was implicated in the financing of the Internet Research Agency, known for its operations to interfere in elections and political processes.
Influence in Ukraine: Prigozhin played a significant role during Russia’s war in Ukraine, where he voiced concerns about military operations to President Putin. He recruited convicts to serve in the Wagner Group, a private military organization. He faced criticism for his management of the war and was accused of interfering in Western elections.
Relationships and Nicknames: Prigozhin’s relationship with Putin started through his restaurants, leading to him being called “Putin’s chef.” He became a confidant to Putin, even involving himself in state affairs.
Video Controversies: Prigozhin was captured in videos addressing convicts in Russian prison yards, offering deals for their involvement in the Wagner Group’s operations in Ukraine. He faced scrutiny for recruiting fighters from prisons.
As his influence extended across multiple industries, Prigozhin’s controversial role has stirred discussions and debates both within Russia and internationally.
Plan crash
According to Russia’s emergency ministry, Prigozhin died in a plane crash on 23 August 2023. The flight was en route from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. Reportedly, all 10 people on board the plane died.
Russian state-owned media agency TASS reported that Prigozhin had been on the passenger list of the flight.
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