The Rest Is Classified 98. Putin’s Secret Army: The Rise Of Prigozhin (Ep 1)
36 snips
Nov 10, 2025 Dive into the dramatic rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, from humble beginnings as a restaurateur to becoming the leader of the Wagner Group. The discussion unfolds his criminal past and how prison shaped his entrepreneurial instincts. Discover how he captured Putin’s trust through elite catering and secured lucrative government contracts. The hosts also explore Prigozhin’s chilling role in countering dissent and his later international influence operations, leaving listeners eager for the next intriguing installment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Power As Court And Syndicate
- Prigozhin's story reveals how personal networks and violence shaped power under Putin.
- Gordon Corera argues Russia's system resembled a medieval court and mafia-like syndicate more than a bureaucratic state.
From Hot Dogs To High-End Catering
- Yevgeny Prigozhin rose from running hot-dog kiosks to opening high-end restaurants in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
- He used charm, violence, and criminal connections to climb into elite circles and win lucrative state contracts.
Crime, Gulag Time, And Prison Entrepreneurship
- As a teenager Prigozhin joined a gang and escalated from petty theft to violent robbery, earning a 13-year sentence.
- He survived and organized within prison, starting black-market wood carving and learning to ally with stronger inmates.
