The rise and fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin: how ‘Putin’s chef’ became a foiled coup leader

The former prisoner challenged Putin’s authority — and died suspiciously. A new book explores his chequered past

Yevgeny Prigozhin served 10 years in a Soviet penal colony. Photo via Reuters

Ksenia Samotiy

For a brief moment last summer, the Putin regime seemed paralysed. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the infamous Wagner Group of mercenaries, launched a mutiny, turning his troops away from the Ukrainian frontline and heading towards Moscow. The rest of the world watched on, wondering what on earth was happening. Within 36 hours, the rebellion was over, thanks to some murky behind-the-scenes negotiations.

A few weeks later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash. Although it was supposedly an accident, the message from the Kremlin was clear: this is what happens to anyone who challenges Putin.