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Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner mercenary group?

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, on Saturday vowed to “go to the end” to topple the Russian military leadership. He accused the military of launching strikes on his men and said that he would “destroy everything that stands in our way.”
Prigozhin’s challenge to President Vladimir Putin is the most audacious since the start of the offensive in Ukrainelast year.He later claimed that his forces had shot down a Russian military helicopter.
Prigozhin’s forces have spearheaded much of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. They are known for their brutality and have been accused of war crimes.The prosecutor general of Russia has said that Prigozhin is under investigation for “armed rebellion.” It is unclear what the outcome of the investigation will be, but Prigozhin’s challenge to the Russian military leadership is a sign of the growing discord within the country.
Here is all you need to know about Yevgeny Prigozhin:
Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian oligarch, mercenary chief, and a close confidant of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin is sometimes called “Putin’s chef”, as he owns restaurants and catering companies that provide services for the Kremlin. Once a convict in the Soviet Union, Prigozhin now controls a network of influential companies, including the Russian state-backed mercenary company Wagner Group and three companies accused of interference in the 2016 and 2018 US elections.
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Prigozhin was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1961. He had a difficult childhood, spending time in a children’s home and then in a juvenile detention center. After his release, he worked as a cook and then opened his own restaurant in St. Petersburg. In the early 2000s, he began to win government contracts to feed school children and government workers. He also became a close associate of Putin, who was then the mayor of St. Petersburg.
In 2014, Prigozhin is believed to have founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor that has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine. The Wagner Group has been accused of human rights abuses, including torture and summary executions.
Prigozhin is also believed to be behind the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a troll farm that was accused of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. The IRA used social media to spread pro-Trump propaganda and to sow discord among American voters.
Prigozhin has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for his activities. He is currently under investigation by the US Department of Justice for possible criminal charges.
Prigozhin is a controversial figure, but he is also a powerful one. He has close ties to Putin and he controls a vast network of businesses. He is a reminder of the dark side of Russian power, and he is a threat to democracy and stability around the world.
Here are some additional details about Prigozhin’s life and career:
He was convicted of robbery and fraud in the Soviet Union and served nine years in prison.
He is the owner of a number of restaurants and catering companies, including Concord Catering, which has won billions of dollars in government contracts.
He is the founder of the Wagner Group, a private military contractor that has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine.
He is believed to be behind the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a troll farm that was accused of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.
He has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for his activities.
He is currently under investigation by the US Department of Justice for possible criminal charges.
(With inputs from agencies)Watch Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner Group head Russia has accused of planning a coup?


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