Russia

Profile: Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, the former hot dog sellers turned Russian rebel

The Kremlin is facing a mutiny led by the mercenary chief nicknamed ‘Putin’s chef’

Yevgeny Prigozhin has been careful not to criticise Vladimir Putin but has been accused of ‘armed mutiny’. Picture: Getty Images

A former hot dog stand owner and low-profile businessman who benefited from having President Vladimir Putin as a powerful patron, Yevgeny Prigozhin moved into the global spotlight thanks to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

As the leader of a mercenary force who depicts himself as fighting many of the Russian military’s toughest battles in Ukraine, the 62-year-old Prigozhin has now moved into his most dangerous role yet: preaching open rebellion against his country’s military leadership.

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