Today, Explained The man behind Russia’s mutiny
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Jun 26, 2023 
In this engaging discussion, journalist Paul Wood and Harvard's Timothy Colton delve into Yevgeny Prigozhin's dramatic rise from a hot dog vendor to a key player in Russia’s mercenary scene. They explore his motivations behind the bold mutiny against Putin and the implications of his actions on Russian politics. The guests also discuss Putin's unusual silence during the crisis, the power struggles within the Kremlin, and how this upheaval could reshape the future of Russia, leaving the nation in a state of uncertainty.
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Prigozhin's Rise
- Yevgeny Prigozhin's background is explored, from his time in prison to his culinary ventures.
- He became Putin's trusted caterer, which later opened doors to his mercenary activities.
Chef to Mercenary
- Prigozhin's transition from chef to mercenary leader remains unclear, shrouded in secrecy and speculation.
- His existing logistics network, developed through catering, likely played a role in arms smuggling.
Wagner's Ukraine Role
- Wagner mercenaries were allegedly tasked with assassinating Zelenskyy but failed, possibly due to a tip-off to Ukrainians from Prigozhin's enemies.
- They were then sidelined until Russia's regular army struggled in Ukraine.