‘We Are All Destined for Hell’

The Kremlin denies any involvement in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, but many are skeptical. According to Anton Troianovski and Valerie Hopkins in the New York Times, Prigozhin’s ability to survive for two months after his rebellion was seen as more surprising than the crash of his private jet. A comment from Aleksei Dyumin, a confidant of Putin’s, implies that Prigozhin was considered a traitor and deserved his fate, saying, “You can forgive mistakes and even cowardice, but never betrayal. They were not traitors.”

As a consequence of Prigozhin’s failed rebellion, the Kremlin was actively attempting to take control of key areas within the Wagner Group’s empire in Africa and other locations, reports the Wall Street Journal. Prigozhin’s final days were spent visiting Wagner outposts in the Central African Republic and Mali to strengthen support. The article describes it as a farewell tour that Prigozhin was unaware he was making. For years, he had taken unusual safety precautions, such as changing disguises to resemble bearded Arab military officers while refueling his jet in a limited number of airports that would allow him to land.

Prigozhin appeared unfazed by the danger to his life, as evident in an undated video released by the Grey Zone Telegram channel, where he said, “We will all go to hell. But in hell, we will be the best.” The Washington Post also explores the extensive logistical challenges that the Wagner Group now faces. According to the article, thousands of fighters are now stranded across multiple countries, and their fate lies in the hands of Putin and military officials who will decide whether to continue or disband the group. An expert from the University of Exeter predicts that the organization is “finished,” but believes that Russia will replicate its successful model of covert foreign policy, involving mercenaries, lucrative businesses, smuggling, and disinformation campaigns. (Read more Yevgeny Prigozhin stories.)