Category Prigozhin asks for forgiveness

Aug 30 2023

Another Clue Behind Prigozhin’s Death


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Aug 30, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

https://youtube.com/watch?v=T-c0SyeMQuo%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin released the following video in June on Telegram. I think it is worth revisiting this video. Prigozhin states that entering Ukraine was an invasion based on lies. He believes that the Defense Ministry was in on the cover up, potentially in cahoots with the West, and that they swindled Vladimir Putin into believing his lie.

If you read my book, “The Plot to Seize Russia,” you understand the calculated corruption of the Russian Oligarchs who hoped to use a Western alliance to regain power. Prigozhin states that false intelligence was leaked to Putin, which led him to believe Ukraine was working with NATO, which is true. However, he said that Russian intelligence reported that Ukraine and NATO were planning a direct attack on Russia, which led to the “special operation” on February 24, 2022.

“What was the point of the war? The war was needed for the self-promotion of a bunch of bastards to show off what a strong army it is so Defense Ministry Sergei Shoigu gets a Marshall,” he alleged. Sergei Shoigu has led the Ministry of the Russian Federation since November 6, 2012. Shoigu and Prigozhin have been archenemies, with Shoigu leading from behind the scenes while Prigozhin was on the frontlines with a separate mercenary group. Prigozhin firmly believed that Shoigu needed to be removed from power and believes he failed the invasion of Ukraine. Putin was in the middle of the battle, with both men being personal friends.

However, siding with Prigozhin would mean changing the entire narrative of the February 24 invasion. Declaring Shoigu unfit to lead would weaken the entire military’s image and add to the narrative that the West is decimating Russia. The entire coup by Wagner was to oust Shoigu, not Putin, as he was accused of denying the group ammunition and costing Russian lives. One man said too much, while the other was complacent with the narrative. There is a possibility that a divide within the military would have grown if both men were permitted to live.

Jul 17 2023

Prigozhin: “I Went Crazy”


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Jul 17, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has offered an explanation for the attempted coup—“I went crazy.” An article by Proekt says Yevgeny Prigozhin was at St. Petersburg’s Konstantinovsky Palace in 2011 when then-prime minister Putin announced plans for the presidency. “Great hairstyle,” the Russian leader said, pointing to Prigozhin’s bald head. The two were friendly and Prigozhin has supported Putin throughout his career. Prigozhin began his career under the guise of a hot dog salesman at a car dealership before he became the feared mercenary leader. Imagine asking this man for ketchup or mustard?

Soviet army officer Andrey Bakonin came to the car dealership in 1991, where he met the future Wagner leader. He was always involved in “other” activities and hustled where he could. “Prigozhin is a tough guy,” recalls a reputable St. Petersburg businessman who personally knew many of the heroes of the 90s in St. Petersburg. “Besides, he is Jewish, which may have played a role in the fact that Mirilashvili and Spektor (prominent members of the Jewish community in St. Petersburg) hired him.” He made important connections on the ground and opened a restaurant that attracted the elite, funded by Mirilashvili. When Putin became president, he arranged a number of meetings at the restaurant. The likes of President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori ate at the establishment.

He allegedly had staff eavesdrop on important meetings held at his restaurant and reported back to the man in power. Prigozhin’s associates say he has always been prone to violence. They alleged he hired a man called the “Teacher” who would brutally beat his staff, who often doubled as spies. He had a keen interest in war and reportedly sat over huge world maps, outlining where friends and foes resided. Wagner PMC first began around 2014 as a detachment from Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Utkin’s command. He was fighting for Putin. PMC became involved in fights in Syria and Africa and took it extremely personally. He contracted cancer at one point and is said to be hyper-conscious of his health. He has quite an interesting story.

But what this all entails is an apology to Putin. Claiming he had a psychological break paints Putin as the strong leader, while Prigozhin remains the unstable grunt with no intentions of taking over Russia. Some outlets state that his medical history caused him to act erratically. His associates are using every excuse to explain why he staged a coup and dared to oppose Putin. Wagner has begun to hand over weapons to Russia. Is Prigozhin in exile in Belarus or back in Russia? Is he alive? Many do not believe he actually met with Putin after the event on June 23. No one is quite sure, but his plea of insanity is a final attempt to ask for forgiveness and tell the world that he is subservient to the Russian government.