Peter Clement Returns: The Death of Wagner Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin

There is one thing that Vladimir Putin cannot tolerate, and that is betrayal (at least according to his autobiography). So when former Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led a short-lived mutiny against the authoritarian Russian president and emerged relatively unscathed, many experts were left wondering what Putin’s long-term retribution strategy would be. After two months of speculation, Putin’s intentions were evidently made clear when Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash that proved fatal to everyone aboard his private jet. In light of these revelations, we’re using today’s show to welcome back Peter Clement, a senior research scholar and adjunct professor at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the Salzmann Institute of War and Peace Studies (SIWPS). Tuning in you’ll hear us pick up where we left off in Episode 21 where we discussed Putin’s corporate takeover of the Wagner Group after Prigozhin’s attempted uprising. Our conversation covers the facts surrounding Prigozhin’s death and investigates the threat he posed to Putin. We examine the factors that contributed to Prigozhin’s growing popularity before dissecting how Putin’s actions continue to undermine any hope for foreign investment (or the removal of sanctions). To hear Peter’s insight on this pivotal moment in Russian current affairs, and how it resonates within the broader political landscape, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An update on Yevgeny Prigozhin and the plane crash that caused his death.
• Insight into who else was on the plane; key members within the Wagner Group.
• How these developments are expected to impact the Wagner Group and their operations.
• Why Putin’s apparent retaliation against Prigozhin took two months to take place.
• The one thing Putin cannot tolerate: a betrayal of trust.
• Implications surrounding Prigozhin’s presence in Africa in the weeks leading up to his death.
• Prigozhin’s key error in his mutiny against Putin.
• Social media channels that are critical of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s Ministry of Defense, and how they will be affected by these events.
• Prigozhin’s continued popularity in Russia and the threat this poses to Putin.
• How Putin’s actions undermine the potential for foreign investment or the removal of sanctions.
• The narrative that Putin is trying to push when it comes to Russia and the West.
• Why we will never know the full truth of certain Russian historical events.
• Peter’s final thoughts on Putin’s biggest mistakes.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Peter Clement

Wagner Group

Episode 21: Peter Clement on Putin's Corporate Takeover of the Wagner Group

Amy Martella

Fordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center