Why Wagner Chief Prigozhin Turned Against Putin

The elements behind founder of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin's insurrection include military infighting, financial pressures and personal political ambitions which posed the gravest threat to President Vladimir Putin's 23 years in power.

June 25, 2023 . 9:34 PM

1 min read

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Wagner Group, gathered two of Russia's most senior commanders to humiliate them on camera and threaten to march his mercenary army to Moscow.
After years of rapid growth, Wagner was facing pressure as Russia's defense ministry was tightening the noose around the company, starving it of recruitment, finance and weapons.
Prigozhin refused to sign contracts with the government by July 1, a move to bring Wagner under formal military control.
The insurrection posed the gravest threat to President Vladimir Putin's 23 years in power.
The fate of Prigozhin's fighters is less clear; the Kremlin is likely to root out pockets of his armed supporters quietly over time.