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Yevgeny Prigozhin – at least since the Battle of Bakhmut, the name is also known to many people in this country. The Russian oligarch commands the Wagner mercenary group, which apparently took over the embattled eastern Ukrainian city for Russia last week.

For the war strategists in the Kremlin, the Wagner Group is an essential building block in the offensive war against Ukraine. Knowing how indispensable he is, Prigozhin criticizes the Russian leadership more openly than anyone else in Russia. The mercenary boss regularly denounces corruption, vanity and excessive bureaucracy in the Russian military and wages a verbal war with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his chief of staff Valeri Gerasimov.

According to ex-secret service agent, Prigozhin is preparing for an overthrow

Many observers are surprised by the freedom of fools that Prigozhin enjoys in Moscow. Anyone else would have been fired long ago for criticizing the Kremlin or gone to prison or a labor camp. Why is Putin letting the Wagner boss get away with this? Could it be that he is no longer in control?

Russian hardliner Igor Girkin has now joined the ongoing speculation about a possible changing of the guard at the Kremlin. The ultra-nationalist and former intelligence officer has accused Prigozhin of uttering unacceptable insults – and of preparing a coup.

Girkin: Wagner boss Prigozhin plans “mutiny”

In a video circulating on social media, Girkin says Prigozhin has declared “war” on part of the Russian military and elite. He intends to exploit the cracks in Russian leadership that he has exposed with his verbal attacks. “If Prigozhin remains head of the Wagner group, the mutiny will come quickly and radically,” says Girkin also in the video.

The ex-officer, who was himself under investigation in Russia in April for “discrediting the military”, is demanding that the Kremlin take action against Prigozhin for “unacceptable insults”. At the same time, he emphasized the military importance of the Wagner mercenaries: “We don’t have another army and we have to make it into a combat tool,” explained Girkin.

Prigozhin and Putin: experts estimate the risk of a coup

According to Russian political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya, Putin is still strong enough to maintain the balance of power in Moscow. However, the Wagner group has long since taken on a life of its own. Moreover, in their eyes, Prigozhin actually has revolutionary views.

“War produces monsters whose ruthlessness and desperation can challenge the state,” she told the German news agency. Even the slightest weakness can bring the system down.

Compared to Watson, Russia expert Nikita Gerasimov and political analyst Andreas Umland had assessed the situation differently at the end of April. “Prigozhin’s public appearance speaks against the fact that he has real political ambitions in terms of running for political office,” Gerasimov said. After all, he constantly flaunts his distaste for “important people in big castes.” “Should he eventually get political office,” said Gerasimov, “it would be a total break with self-portraits.”

The environment also did not expect Prigozhin to enter politics. People recognize certain ambitions, whether they will develop their own political dynamics, but it is uncertain. “Prigozhin is more of a second-rate man,” said the political expert.

(with dpa material)