Information from a former Russian intelligence officer
From left, Vladimir Putin, Nikolai Patrushev and Yevgeny Prigozhin
Moscow, Russia – Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner group, was assassinated at the behest of Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of the country’s Security Council, who is considered the right-hand man of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The assassination was ordered by Putin. An US newspaper has given this information citing a former intelligence officer of Russia as the source.
Courtesy : Wion
1. The Wagner Group was an important part of the Russian army in the Ukraine War; but then the conflict between Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, and the Russian Defense Minister escalated. This led to the Wagner group attempting a coup in Russia in June 2023.
2. After this rebellion, Patrushev decided to punish Prigozhin. The growing power of the Wagner Group had raised Putin’s concerns.
3. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko later allowed Prigozhin and his mercenaries to enter his country and mediated the conflict between Prigozhin and Putin.
4. Prigozhin and other commanders of the Wagner Group were killed in an airstrike in August. Patrushev has worked under Putin since the beginning of his presidency. He is considered the second most powerful person in Russia.