Espreso. Global

Prigozhin admits he founded Wagner PMC, notes company's special "merit" in fate of "LPR", "DPR"

26 September, 2022 Monday
22:23
client/title.list_title

Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vadimir Putin's ally, has admitted that he created the Wagner private military company (PMC), which has taken an active part in fighting in the "LPR" and "DPR"

This is stated in his statement published by the press service of the Concord company.

According to Prigozhin, he created the company in 2014. The businessman said that after the beginning of the so-called "Russian Spring", he tried to recruit a group that would "go and protect Russians in Donbas." However, he allegedly encountered the fact that many intermediaries tried to profit from this, taking money for themselves and sending mercenaries "barefoot to real death."

"Then I flew to one of the training grounds and did it myself. I cleaned the old weapons myself, figured out the bulletproof vests myself, and found specialists who were able to help me. From that moment, on May 1, 2014, a group of patriots was born, which later acquired the Wagner PMC name," he noted.

He then boasted about the company's participation in the war with Ukraine in the Donbas and noted that thanks to Wagner, "the fate" of the "republics" has fundamentally changed.

"It was thanks to their courage that the liberation of the Luhansk airport and many other territories became possible, and the fate of the LPR and the DPR was fundamentally changed," Prigozhin's agency said in a statement.

It should be noted that Yevgeny Prigozhin previously denied his involvement in the Wagner PMC. In 2017, he assured that he was "surprised by the very fact of the existence of this company":

"We are not aware of the activities of the organization you mentioned. Yevgeny Viktorovich [Prygozhin] also asked to convey that he is extremely surprised by the very fact of the existence of this company and has nothing to do with its activities."

Prigozhin also sued journalists who called him the owner of PMC. Most recently, on August 15, 2022, the Presnensky Court of Moscow recognized as false the words of the former Editor-in-Chief of Echo of Moscow, Aleksey Venediktov, that Prigozhin is the "master of the Wagner PMC."

For reference. The beginnings of the so-called Wagner group were laid by Dmitry Utkin with the military nickname "Wagner". It is difficult to find it, because it is not a registered company.  This is an association of security firms. The financier of the group is the oligarch Prigozhin, who previously organized catering for events in the Kremlin, for which he received the nickname "Putin's cook".
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
6 May
15:30
Interview
Signs point to Putin's preparation for major offensive, yet Russia’s strength is insufficient — political analyst Morozov
15:12
Russians plan to mobilize over 150,000 residents in occupied Zaporizhzhia region
14:48
Xi Jinping meets with Macron and von der Leyen in Paris
14:30
Exclusive
Aviation expert Kryvolap on Russian Su-25 downing in Donetsk region
14:11
Exclusive
War in Ukraine spurs closer EU ties, says former Moldovan PM Gavrilița
13:47
Interview
Polish general Waldemar Skrzypczak: Western arms and mobilization bolster Ukraine's defense, but reclaiming territories unrealistic
13:26
Russians dismantle Avdiivka Coke Plant for scrap metal
13:01
Russia is preparing nuclear exercises with units of the military district bordering Ukraine
12:43
Exclusive
Ukrainian serviceman Tymochko on Chasiv Yar canal bridge destruction
12:20
Finland plans to urgently build TNT plant amid shortages due to war in Ukraine
12:03
Russian Federation reports UAV attack on Belgorod region with alleged casualties
11:48
Updated
Russia strikes Kharkiv on Easter: number of casualties increased
11:33
Updated
Russia loses over 1,000 troops, 38 artillery systems and 5 tanks per day - General Staff
11:15
Russians build up northern troops for possible attack on Kharkiv - ISW
10:56
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence destroys Russian speedboat with Magura V5 maritime drone
10:48
Exclusive
Completely new model: Military expert on Rheinmetall's supply of 100 km long artillery shells to Ukraine
2024, Sunday
5 May
17:42
Exclusive
Russia seeks to intensify assault operations in Chasiv Yar — Ukrainian military
17:23
Russia pounds Sloviansk thermal power plant in Donetsk region with 5 missiles
17:00
OPINION
Zelenskyy wanted: Putin does not want negotiations
16:30
Exclusive
"It's unrealistic": General Malomuzh reveals troop numbers needed for potential offensive on Kharkiv and Sumy
16:10
Russia attacks Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region: three civilians wounded
15:50
Ukrainian partisans eliminate torture chamber employee in Berdyansk
15:30
DeepState reports loss of two villages near Ocheretyne and Kupyansk, Russia claims control
15:15
White House says Ukraine plans new counteroffensive — FT
14:50
Russians escalate assaults ahead of Easter in bid for further "victories" – Ukrainian Defense Forces
14:14
Interview
U.S. is crossing Russian red lines step by step, deterring Russia from taking further escalatory steps — diplomat Bryza
13:45
Chinese influence could halt Putin's war in Ukraine – Polish Foreign Minister
13:08
Russia concentrates 25,000 troops in Chasiv Yar region – Ukrainian military
12:40
Ukraine's Air Force names necessary means to hit Russian targets, including Su-25 aircraft
2024, Saturday
4 May
19:31
Exclusive
Putin is ready to dismiss Shoigu - political expert Morozov
19:05
Exclusive
France and UK may compete in helping Ukraine - international expert
18:42
Exclusive
Transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine is strategic step of US support - diplomat Bryza
18:19
US to provide Ukraine with self-guided bombs that can target GPS jammers
17:52
Ukrainian military rangers destroy Russian mortars: video
17:28
Exclusive
Strategically unwise move: diplomat Bryza on White House criticism of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries
17:04
Exclusive
We will see China's final self-determination soon - political expert Morozov
16:40
Russia is capable of mobilizing 25 million people -  Lithuanian Defense Minister
16:15
Exclusive
Russian forces are stagnating: diplomat Bryza predicts new Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2025
15:54
Russia has fully adapted its army to attritional war: UK intelligence predicts increase in Russian losses
More news