Saint Petersburg, Russia – In a poignant ceremony on Saturday, mourners and soldiers laid flowers at a newly unveiled statue of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the controversial head of the Wagner private militia who perished in a plane crash last year.
The bronze statue now stands at Prigozhin’s grave in the Porokhovskoye cemetery, marking what would have been his 63rd birthday.
Prigozhin, a prominent figure in Russia’s military landscape, led the Wagner Group, a mercenary force that fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
His militia played a significant role in the capture of the city of Bakhmut following a grueling, months-long assault. Despite his contributions on the battlefield, Prigozhin’s legacy is marred by his dramatic 24-hour mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June.
During the mutiny, Prigozhin’s forces seized military command buildings in Rostov-on-Don and advanced toward Moscow, challenging the country’s top military officials.
The rebellion, which ended without bloodshed, was a bold attempt to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, whom Prigozhin accused of corruption and mismanagement.
In the months leading up to the mutiny, Prigozhin had frequently aired his grievances through social media, criticizing the Defense Ministry’s handling of the war in Ukraine.
His vocal opposition and eventual rebellion earned him the label of “traitor” from President Vladimir Putin, who later described Prigozhin as a “talented” individual who made “serious mistakes.”
Two months after the failed insurrection, Prigozhin died in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances. President Putin revealed that grenade fragments were found in the wreckage, though the Kremlin has denied any involvement in the crash.
Saturday’s statue unveiling ceremony drew numerous mourners, including soldiers donning Wagner insignia, with some covering their faces. The scene was somber as attendees laid flowers at the statue’s feet, observed by an AFP reporter on site.
The statue’s erection is a testament to Prigozhin’s enduring influence and the respect he commanded among his troops and Russia’s pro-offensive military bloggers.
For months, a makeshift memorial for Prigozhin had stood in Moscow, not far from the Kremlin, reflecting his complex legacy and the support he garnered despite his controversial actions.
Initially, his burial was conducted in secret, adding to the aura of intrigue surrounding his death.
In the aftermath of Prigozhin’s demise, significant changes have unfolded within Russia’s military hierarchy. President Putin recently dismissed long-time Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, one of Prigozhin’s main adversaries.
Additionally, several senior military figures have been arrested on charges of corruption, suggesting a possible response to the criticisms Prigozhin had levied.
The unveiling of Prigozhin’s statue serves as a stark reminder of his contentious yet impactful role in Russia’s military operations and internal power struggles.
As mourners paid their respects, the event highlighted the ongoing complexities within Russia’s defense establishment and the turbulent legacy of the man who dared to challenge it.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members