Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is one of the most outspoken advocates of war in Moscow. Now the entrepreneur close to the Kremlin accuses Russia’s elite of a lack of commitment. The 61-year-old demands that the children of oligarchs should also take part in the fight against Ukraine.
The founder of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has expressed dissatisfaction with the extent of the Russian partial mobilization. “The most important thing that has not happened is the mobilization of the elites. Oligarchs and other representatives of the elite who lived and continue to live in a state of infinite comfort,” said the businessman close to the Kremlin on his Telegram channel on Monday. “Until their children go to war, there will be no full mobilization of the country.”
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Prigozhin has repeatedly criticized high-ranking Russian administration officials and the army leadership. The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suspects that President Vladimir Putin is letting the 61-year-old do as Moscow is dependent on the Wagner mercenaries. Since Prigozhin does not hold a formal position, he can criticize other authorities in the Kremlin without becoming a target himself, according to an analysis.
For a time, Prigozhin was a supplier to the Kremlin’s kitchens, earning him the nickname “Putin’s Chef.” He entertained high state guests and also became a kind of commissary for the Russian army. His group of mercenaries has already served on behalf of Russia in several conflicts around the world. In Ukraine, the Wagner group is playing an increasingly important role. Above all, she played a key role in the Donbass offensive in the direction of Bakhmut.
The entrepreneur repeatedly presented himself as a supporter of the war and was held in high esteem in nationalist circles. According to his own statements, he is not currently aspiring to political office. “My job is to fulfill my duty to my home country and I have no plans at the moment to found a party or even go into politics,” Prigozhin said on Telegram on Monday.