Who was the man behind Wagner PMC? Who was Prigozhin?

Video Summary

Evgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman and chef, is known as “Putin’s Chef” due to his close relationship with Vladimir Putin. Born in 1961, Prigozhin spent 13 years in prison for robbery and fraud. Upon his release, he started a hot dog stand and later expanded to other businesses, including a chain of restaurants and a convenience store chain. Prigozhin’s entrepreneurial ventures earned him government contracts, including catering services for the Russian president and school system. He also started a media outlet with troll factories that allegedly interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. Prigozhin has denied involvement in these operations, but his companies have been described as engaging in operations to interfere with elections and political processes. He is also the founder of the Wagner private military company, which has been involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and other regions. Prigozhin’s connections to Vladimir Putin and his power have given him significant influence in Russian politics, leading some to speculate that he might be a potential successor to Putin. Despite his questionable past, Prigozhin is known for his connection to Putin and his unofficial status as the only person in Russia allowed to criticize Putin’s actions in Ukraine.