SAINT PETERSBURG: Mourners and soldiers gathered on Saturday to pay tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a pro-Kremlin mercenary and was head of the Wagner private militia.
Prigozhin, who staged 24 hours mutiny last June and died in a plane crash, was honoured with the unveiling of a bronze statue at his grave in Saint Petersburg’s Porokhovskoye cemetery on what would have been his 63rd birthday.
Prigozhin gained notoriety for his role in leading Wagner forces in Ukraine, where they fought alongside Russian troops. His mutiny last June, during which he seized Russian military command buildings and marched towards Moscow, was fueled by his discontent with perceived corruption and mismanagement within the defense ministry and General Staff. Despite initially garnering support, he ultimately faced criticism from President Vladimir Putin and died in a plane crash.
Soldiers, some wearing Wagner insignia and concealing their identities, joined mourners in laying flowers at the statue’s feet, underscoring Prigozhin’s influence among his troops and certain segments of Russia’s military community. His popularity was evident in the makeshift memorial erected in Moscow, near the Kremlin, following his death.
Prigozhin’s funeral, initially kept secret, highlighted the intrigue surrounding his demise. Putin’s acknowledgment of Prigozhin’s talents juxtaposed with his acknowledgment of serious mistakes reflected the complex narrative surrounding the controversial figure.
The aftermath of Prigozhin’s mutiny saw significant repercussions, including the removal of long-time defense chief Sergei Shoigu and the arrest of several senior military figures on corruption charges.
Despite ongoing speculation, the Kremlin has denied any involvement in the plane crash.
