Russia’s media watchdog has taken action against several media outlets related to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group. These media outlets have been blacklisted and their websites blocked in Russia. The move comes after Wagner fighters attempted an insurrection by seizing a Russian military headquarters and advancing towards Moscow.
Among the blacklisted websites are RIA FAN news agency and four online news portals controlled by Prigozhin’s media holding company, Patriot. The websites “People’s News,” “Neva News,” “Politics Today,” and “Economy Today” are now listed as blacklisted sites by Roskomnadzor, the communications watchdog in Russia.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Prigozhin himself ordered the shutdown of Patriot, which is based in St. Petersburg. However, Prigozhin has neither confirmed nor denied these reports. Patriot, established in 2019, brought together Prigozhin’s media and internet assets, including the notorious Internet Research Agency, also known as the “troll farm,” which has been linked to Russian interference in U.S. elections.
Yevgeny Zubarev, the director of Patriot, revealed that the Internet Research Agency had been under Prigozhin’s control since 2009 before being incorporated into the Patriot group. It was responsible for conducting online influence operations to promote Russian interests. In the lead-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the agency’s employees, posing as Americans, offered financial assistance to U.S.-based protest movements dealing with sensitive issues such as race relations and gun rights.
It was later confirmed by Prigozhin himself in November that he had interfered in the 2016 election. Despite his involvement, he and his fighters managed to evade prosecution and find refuge in Belarus after the Belarusian president helped broker a deal to resolve the armed insurrection.
Prigozhin’s media group consisted of numerous outlets, including RIA FAN, whose U.S. subsidiary, USA Really, criticized the “mainstream media” and expressed support for former President Donald Trump in its mission statement.
In summary, Russia’s media watchdog has taken action against media outlets associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin and blocked their websites. This comes after his Wagner fighters attempted an insurrection. Prigozhin’s media holdings encompass various outlets, including the controversial Internet Research Agency, which was involved in interfering in the 2016 U.S. election. Despite his actions, Prigozhin and his group have managed to escape prosecution and find refuge in Belarus.
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