INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
residence in Valdai.Yevgeny Prigozhin in Africa on Aug
21, 2023.razgruzka_vagnera / TelegramIndependent media outlets were quick to suggest the plane crash was an act of retribution by the
Meanwhile, state television provided only light coverage of the incident.Putin made his first comments around a full 24 hours after the jet
ruling regime, and in his botched attempt to overthrow Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Wagner chief personally disobeyed Putin, four
sources in the Russian government told The Moscow Times.Some analysts agree with this interpretation."Putin faces a predicament wherein his
public image has soured and no longer aligns with Russia's desire for a strong and resolute leader, who swiftly achieves his goals with
minimal costs and sacrifices
This shift occurred after he failed to seize all of Ukraine and the war entered a protracted stage," Oleg Ignatov, a senior analyst at the
to speak the truth and accept things as they are," Ignatov said.Russian President Vladimir Putin.kremlin.ruThis had been a challenge for the
Kremlin even before Prigozhin's failed rebellion
The Defense Ministry had come increasingly under fire for not waging the war in Ukraine aggressively enough, including from members of the
Prigozhin had competently built his security
This is a moronic decision of our authorities, made also during the war
Why?" a current Russian government official who previously served in the security services told The Moscow Times."I think the 'boss' [Putin]
was afraid that Prigozhin would somehow miraculously pop up in the election
I don't believe it myself
But who knows what's in the tsar's head? His emotions could have taken over," a current Russian government official who previously served in
the state security services told The Moscow Times.Similar sentiments are shared among Russian servicemen fighting in Ukraine."We respect
Kremlin is aware that there is still a risk of armed mutinies and Russian special services are working to control and eliminate them, two
sources close to the Kremlin and a Russian government official who formerly served in the special services told The Moscow Times."Now
everyone is trying to keep as much distance as possible from any stories and projects related to the head of PMC Wagner
jet has left some people in a state of complete shock
Above all, those who had been in contact with him," a source in elite business circles told The Moscow Times.The Kremlin will be unable to
fighters who have seen combat in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East, to its expanse of media outlets, journalists and political
Wagner.Multi-billion-dollar contracts with the Russian state were the lifeblood of Prigozhin's business empire, which included lucrative
projects in Africa, where structures linked to the Wagner leader have received the right to mine gold, diamonds, uranium, platinum and other
companies in the Middle East and Africa are managed, said the source who has been on several missions on behalf of Wagner.These efforts
Ukraine during the spring of 2022, the Kremlin hoped Prigozhin would reverse its fortunes
gone, Wagner is unlikely to continue existing
But many members of Wagner believe that the authorities may be responsible
And the authorities cannot ignore such risks," Ignatov from Crisis Group said."We know from history that Russia has a tradition of political
This is not guaranteed to happen But the authorities see the risk
And the security forces will keep a very close eye on the members of Wagner
Not the Ukrainians, but our own people
And who else? Who could he have messed with?" a Russian contract serviceman fighting under the Defense Ministry told The Moscow Times."If
the truth comes out now, our guys won't keep quiet
