From being known as President Vladimir V. Putin's culinary expert to becoming a symbol of Russia's wartime ambitions, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Leveraging his close ties with President Putin, Prigozhin amassed significant wealth by securing lucrative catering and construction contracts from the Russian government. However, it is his establishment of a private military force known as Wagner that has truly catapulted him into the spotlight.
Following Russia's incursion into Ukraine, Prigozhin wasted no time in deploying his fighters to the front lines, bolstered by an influx of prisoners-turned-recruits. In recent times, this enigmatic figure, pronounced as pree-GOH-zhin, has transformed into a prominent player on the public stage, utilizing social media to craft an image of toughness and brutality that has become synonymous with his personal brand. Simultaneously, he has started to cast blame on Russia's military leadership, accusing them of neglecting his forces' ammunition needs and turning a blind eye to the struggles faced by soldiers.
Until now, President Putin had refrained from addressing Prigozhin's online tirades, despite imprisoning and fining numerous other critics of the war. With an uncensored tongue, an utter disregard for the law, and unwavering loyalty to no one but Putin himself, Prigozhin, commonly referred to as "Putin's chef" due to his catering contracts with the Kremlin and Russian military, has emerged as the embodiment of a wartime Russia—ruthless, shameless, and operating beyond the confines of the law. This marks a remarkable turnaround for Prigozhin, who only admitted to founding Wagner as recently as last autumn.
In Moscow, Prigozhin has faced persistent scrutiny and criticism, with analysts casting doubt on the broad appeal of his recruitment strategies involving prisoners and his endorsement of extrajudicial executions.
Following the failed Kremlin attempt to seize Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, early last year, Prigozhin expanded Wagner's presence in the region. Prior to that, his "private military company" primarily operated in Syria and Africa, serving both the Russian government's interests and Prigozhin's own business ventures.
However, his activities were not limited to these regions alone. In February 2018, Prigozhin found himself among the 13 Russians indicted by a federal grand jury for interfering in the American election through the Internet Research Agency—a troll factory responsible for disseminating falsehoods and engaging in information warfare in support of Donald J. Trump's presidential campaign.
As a result, the United States imposed sanctions on Prigozhin in December 2016, further complicating his already controversial reputation.
Born in 1961 when St. Petersburg was known as Leningrad, Prigozhin's past is marred by a history of crime. Meduza, an online investigative publication, reveals that he served a nine-year prison sentence starting in 1981 for offenses including robbery.
Following his release, Prigozhin embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, starting with a humble hot-dog stand and gradually expanding into the restaurant and convenience store business.
Yevgeny Prigozhin's trajectory from chef to alleged coup orchestrator showcases a narrative that is as captivating as it is bewildering. With a flair for controversy and an elusive aura surrounding him, this enigmatic figure remains an intriguing character on Russia's tumultuous stage.