’Putin’s desperation’: Lukashenko’s 11th-hour deal with Wagner staves off ’military riot’ in Moscow

The millionaire mercenary chief who long benefitted from the powerful patronage of President Vladimir Putin has moved into the global spotlight with a dramatic rebellion against Russia’s military that has challenged the authority of Putin himself. Yevgeny Prigozhin is the 62-year-old owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, a hired private army of inmate recruits and other mercenaries that has fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Friday, Prigozhin abruptly escalated months of scathing criticism of Russia’s conduct of the war, calling for an armed uprising to oust the defense minister, and then rolling toward Moscow with his soldiers-for-hire. As Putin’s government declared a “counterterrorism” alert and scrambled to seal off Moscow with checkpoints, Prigozhin just as abruptly stood down. As he retreated with his forces, it was unclear what was next for Prigozhin, a former prison inmate, hot-dog vendor and restaurant owner who riveted world attention. Prigozhin and Putin go way back, with both born in Leningrad, what is now known as St. Petersburg. During the final years of the Soviet Union, Prigozhin served time in prison — 10 years by his own admission — although he does not say what it was for. Joining France 24’s Rochelle FERGUSON BOUYAHI and Catherine Norris Trent for this Special Report is Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative. 🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: 🔴 LIVE - Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: 🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Discover the news in pictures on Instagram: Get the latest top stories on Telegram: