Rebuilding the Wagner mercenary army and trying to return to the Kremlin: Pavel Prigozhin's dangerous game
Pavel Prigozhin, son of the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, is rebuilding the Wagner mercenary force and expanding his business in Africa, while attempting to maintain ties with the Kremlin. After his father's plane crash in August 2023 following a mutiny against Putin, Pavel inherited an empire estimated at $2-20 billion. The article describes how he controls gold mines in the Central African Republic, produces synthetic opioid drugs, sells weapons, and operates pro-Russian propaganda stations. His force has shrunk from 50,000 to 500 mercenaries, but he continues to funnel money to the Kremlin via Belarus, while avoiding Western sanctions. The article quotes a Russian expert describing a symbiotic relationship of mutual need between Prigozhin and Putin.
Pavel Prigozhin, son of the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, is rebuilding the Wagner mercenary army and expanding his business in Africa, while trying to maintain contact with the Kremlin. After his father's plane crash in August 2023, following a mutiny against Putin, Pavel inherited an empire estimated at between $2 and $20 billion. The article describes how he controls gold mines in the Central African Republic, produces synthetic opioid drugs, sells weapons, and operates pro-Russian propaganda stations. His force has shrunk from 50,000 to 500 mercenaries, but he continues to funnel money to the Kremlin via Belarus, while avoiding Western sanctions. The article quotes a Russian expert describing a symbiotic relationship of mutual need between Prigozhin and Putin.