Yevgeny Prigozhin’s media empire, which includes troll farms and news websites, continues to operate despite its announcement of closure following the failed mutiny attempt by his associates in the Wagner group. The lingering presence of Prigozhin’s media empire highlights the challenges the Russian regime faces in severing its ties with the warlord. The Kremlin’s attempts to ban Prigozhin’s websites and criticism from some troll accounts have not fully dismantled the media enterprise. Prigozhin’s central role in covert military activities and troll farms has made it difficult for the Kremlin to extract him from its operations. With Prigozhin’s businesses in limbo, other members of the elite are vying to fill the void and gain access to the significant funding that comes with it. The complex web of corruption and wealth redistribution underscores the systemic nature of internal corruption in Russia. Despite the raid on Prigozhin’s media empire headquarters, its ultimate fate remains undecided, and potential commercial buyers may be interested in its large audience base. Prigozhin’s staff and troll accounts continue to remain active, indicating that a new owner may soon take over. Prigozhin’s ties to the elite gave him access to significant funding, and his operations were a crucial part of the Kremlin’s media control. The disclosure of the vast sums used to finance Prigozhin’s companies highlighted the potential for enrichment by others. Prigozhin’s rise to power began with his restaurant business and expanded into media operations, including troll farms that attacked opposition figures. The trolls’ effectiveness and reach increased as anti-government protests gained traction, leading to more state funding for Prigozhin’s operations. Financial reliance on Kremlin sponsorship and minimal advertising revenue made Prigozhin’s media empire financially unsustainable. Much of the funding went to arming the Wagner group, but the media empire also received substantial sums. Prigozhin’s operation primarily ran on cash, as evidenced by the discovery of suitcases full of cash at his mansion and the seizure of a minivan filled with banknotes. The murky nature of his operations suggests that their actual value may be greater than reported.
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