Today, Explained Death of a Hot Dog Salesman
Aug 24, 2023
Julia Ioffe, Washington correspondent for Puck and a Russia expert, dives into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane crash. She explores his tumultuous relationship with Putin and his internal struggles within the Wagner Group. Ioffe highlights the brutal consequences for defectors from Russian intelligence and examines the complexity of power dynamics in Putin's regime. The discussion uncovers the hidden rules governing political behavior and the perilous risks faced by rivals in a chaotic landscape.
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Prigozhin's Rise and Fall
- Yevgeny Prigozhin, initially a hot dog vendor, rose to become Putin's caterer and later, a mercenary leader.
- His Wagner group played a key role in Ukraine until he rebelled against Russia.
Reasons for Prigozhin's Betrayal
- Prigozhin's rebellion stemmed from mounting casualties and perceived lack of support from the Russian military.
- He felt they were deliberately hindering his efforts while waiting for him to capture Bakhmut.
Russia's Censorship Paradox
- Russia's strict military censorship laws criminalized dissent against the war.
- However, criticism from the right, like Prigozhin's, was initially tolerated.