The Wagner group has a new leader – Prigoshin is followed by Prigoshin The woman who found the most hated king in England

What is known about Pavel Prigozhin?

Quite a bit – like the rest of his family, Yevgeny Prigozhin kept his son out of the public eye. His exact age is also unclear. However, several reports indicate that Prigozhin was probably born sometime between 1996 and 1998. That would make him a maximum of 27 years old.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Prigozhin is said to have already fulfilled “several roles in his father’s company” despite his young age. Among other things, he is said to have headed a development company in St. Petersburg called Lakhta Plaza, which had been approved by the US.

Pawel Prigoshin is also said to have already gained experience within Wagner. According to his father’s posts on social media, Prigozhin fought in Syria as an 18-year-old. “Since then, as a member of the Wagner group, he has been and continues to be in crisis areas, where he received his first Black Cross,” Prigozhin once reported.

What does Pavel Prigozhin say about this?

After several sources close to Wagner reported Prigozhin’s takeover, he himself confirmed the reports on Monday: “I have taken command of the Wagner Group,” he wrote on Telegram. He also declares the “annihilation of the Nazis” as his goal and demands:

Why Pavel Prigozhin of all people?

By appointing his son as the new Wagner leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s last wish comes true. There is currently a photo circulating on social media showing Prigozhin’s will, which was apparently notarized on March 2. Prigozhin leaves a large part of his inheritance to his son. According to The Times, the exact words are:

The Wagner group that Pawel Prigozhin was supposed to take over is also specifically mentioned in the will. There is also talk of around 110 million francs, a three-storey house in St Petersburg, nine stock companies and his catering empire.

What about Andrei Troshev?

The fact that Pavel Prigozhin is now about to take over the Wagner Group does not coincide with reports from Russia in recent days. It was recently reported that Andrei Troshev would be Prigozhin’s successor. This is considered very close to the Kremlin: Troshev is said to have been the first high-ranking Wagner commander to withdraw from the Wagner uprising at the end of June, and he is also said to have warned Moscow early on about Prigozhin’s plan. phase.

As the American think tank ‘Institute for the Study of War’ (ISW) writes, several Wagner members are said to have opposed the Troschew option. Within the group, people must remain interested in being as independent as possible from the Kremlin.

Is Pavel Prigozhin independent of the Kremlin?

This indeed appears to be the case. As the ISW reports, citing a Russian insider source, Prigozhin is said to be under the influence of Mikhail Watanin. He is the head of the Wagner security service and is said to have had a close relationship with Yevgeny Prigozhin. If these reports are true, it seems likely that Vatanin and Prigozhin Junior will continue to try to maintain some degree of independence from the Kremlin in the future.

Will Wagner be active in Ukraine again under Prigozhin?

This can be assumed. Prigozhin’s first demand as Wagner boss, the “destruction of the Nazis,” strongly suggests this. In Russia, the war in Ukraine is often sold as ‘denazification’.

According to sources close to Wagner, Prigozhin is already negotiating with the Russian National Guard Rosgvardiya about a possible return to the front. Apparently Prigozhin wants to ensure that Wagner remains largely independent of Russian forces and is allowed to keep his own name, symbols and command staff. However, no agreement has yet been reached.