July 28, 2023
1 min read

Wagner chief Prigozhin seen in Russia for first time since failed mutiny

Prigozhin founded Wagner as a shadowy mercenary outfit that fought both in Ukraine and, increasingly, for Russian-backed causes around the world….reports Asian Lite News

For the first time since the Wagner mercenaries’ failed rebellion against the Russian military in June, the group’s chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was seen in St. Petersburg, meeting an African dignitary on the sidelines of a summit, the media reported.

According to accounts associated with the mercenary group, the meeting took place on Thursday and the dignitary is part of the Central African Republic delegation to the Russia-Africa summit, reports CNN.

For several years, Wagner had a presence in the Central African Republic.

A photo of the meeting was also doing the rounds on social media, showing the two men shaking hands.

CNN geolocated the photograph of Prigozhin and the dignitary to the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St. Petersburg. 

According to Russian media, the Wagner chief has kept an office in the hotel premises. 

The hotel was one of the locations searched by Russian authorities on July 6, after the June 24 rebellion.

Since then, Prigozhin had only been seen in public on July 19, when he seemingly appeared in a video inside Belarus, apparently greeting Wagner fighters at a base in Asipovichy.

During the rebellion, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had claimed that he convinced his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin not to “destroy” Wagner and Prigozhin, which led to a halt in the mutiny.

Prigozhin founded Wagner as a shadowy mercenary outfit that fought both in Ukraine and, increasingly, for Russian-backed causes around the world.

CNN has tracked Wagner mercenaries in the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, Ukraine and Syria. 

Over the years they have developed a gruesome reputation and were been linked to multiple human rights abuses.

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Wagner forces were heavily involved in taking the Ukrainian cities of Soledar and Bakhmut.

ALSO READ: UK inaction let Wagner group flourish and grow, say MPs

Previous Story

Ukraine requires $37 bn in external financing next year

Next Story

Trump hit with more charges in documents case

Latest from -Top News

Tibetans Slam China’s ‘Reincarnation Politics’

Sikyong said the Chinese government is systematically working to erase Tibetan identity by targeting its language and religion, core pillars of its cultural heritage….reports Asian Lite News With the Dalai Lama entrusting

USAID Officially Shuts Down

USAID will be merged into the US State Department from Tuesday….reports Asian Lite News The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was officially shut down on Tuesday, drawing criticism from former

Quad Raises Alarm Over Myanmar Crisis

Quad presses junta, all parties to honour and extend truce…reports Asian Lite News The Quad Foreign Ministers voiced deep concern over the escalating crisis in Myanmar and its regional impact, urging the

India Bats for Fairer Global Finance: FM Sitharaman

FM Sitharaman stated that we believe that optimal regulation fosters innovation and stability….reports Asian Lite News India supports reforms to the international financial architecture to enhance inclusivity and equity, including Multilateral Development
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Wagner Chief to leave Russia under deal brokered by Lukashenko

Prigozhin, the alleged head of the Wagner mercenary group, announced

Prigozhin Laid to Rest in Native City

Russia’s TASS news agency, citing sources, reported that in accordance