We Had No Hand in It

President Joe Biden addressed the recent mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group against the Russian government, describing it as an internal power struggle in which the United States played no part.

“We made it clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it,”

Biden stated during a White House event on Monday. “We’re going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend’s events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. But it’s still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going.”

The revolt, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, saw Wagner fighters seize control of Rostov and advance towards Moscow in an armed convoy. This brazen act represented an unprecedented public challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, after a tumultuous 24-hour period, Prigozhin announced on Saturday that he would stand down following an agreement with government officials.

Yevgeny Prigozhin

Prigozhin was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, the same city where Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, spent most of his early years. It is said that Prigozhin’s relationship with Putin goes way back, and some even claim that Putin considers him a close ally and personal friend.

However, Prigozhin’s early years were marked by criminal activities and convictions. He had his first brush with the law when he was just 18, receiving a suspended sentence for theft. Two years later, he returned to court and received a 13-year sentence for robbery and theft. He served nine years in prison before being released early.

Despite his criminal record, Prigozhin became a successful businessman, setting up a catering company in St. Petersburg that quickly grew into a lucrative business. His business empire expanded into various industries, including restaurants, media, and security services, eventually making him one of the wealthiest people in Russia.