Long a low-profile Russian businessman, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken the spotlight in Russia. That’s by posing a direct challenge to Russia’s generals over the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin is owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner mercenary group, which has played a central role in Russia’s fight in Ukraine. Now, Prigozhin is dramatically escalating months of scathing criticism of the Kremlin’s conduct of the war by calling for an armed uprising to oust Russia’s defense minister. It’s the most dangerous role yet for the 62-year-old Prigozhin, a onetime owner of swanky restaurants who came to be known as “Putin’s Chef.”
‘PUTIN’S CHEF’During the final years of the Soviet Union, Prigozhin served time in prison — 10 years by his own admission — although he does not say what it was for.
His businesses expanded significantly to catering and providing school lunches. In 2010, Putin helped open Prigozhin’s factory that was built on generous loans by a state bank. In Moscow alone, his company Concord won millions of dollars in contracts to provide meals at public schools. He also organized catering for Kremlin events for several years — earning him the nickname “Putin’s chef” — and has provided catering and utility services to the Russian military.
In Ukraine, Prigozhin’s mercenaries have become a major force in the war, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles with Ukrainian forces. They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Prigozhin and associates repeatedly in connection with both his alleged election interference and his leadership of the Wagner Group.
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