Kremlin-connected entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted Monday that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so — confirming for the first time the accusations that he has rejected for years. “We have interfered, are interfering and will continue to interfere. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way,” Prigozhin said in remarks posted on social media. The statement, from the press service of his catering company that earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef,” came on the eve of U.S. midterm elections in response to a request for comment.
It was the second major admission in recent months by the 61-year-old businessman who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin has previously sought to keep his activities under the radar and now appears increasingly interested in gaining political clout. In September, he also publicly stated that he was behind the Wagner Group mercenary force — something he also had previously denied — and talked openly about its involvement in Russia’s 8-month-old war in Ukraine. The military contractor also has sent its forces to places like Syria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Comment: This is all refreshingly frank and honest. Seems Putin’s pieman is no longer content with quietly operating behind the scene. He wants his spot in the limelight. And for those who were in high dudgeon in 2016 when I said Russia did this kind of stuff, they did and they do.
Much like the yellow journalism of Hearst and Pulitzer contributed to, but did not cause, the Spanish-American War, Prigozin’s black propoganda largely orchestrated from the Internet Research Agency in Saint Petersburg contributed to, but did not cause, Trump’s 2016 victory and the increasing rancor in our public discourse since then. Although he has maintained his innocence until today, Prigozhin said soon after he was indicted by Mueller for election interference in 2018, “Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see. I treat them with great respect. I’m not at all upset that I’m on this list. If they want to see the devil, let them see him.” Still, I can’t fault Prigozhin for his understanding of the American people or his skill in the dark arts of propaganda.
I can’t help from thinking that he also has a good understanding of the Russian people and their leaders. Perhaps he is beginning to use his skill in the dark arts against these targets. In addition to tooting his own horn about his propaganda exploits against the US, he recently opened the Wagner Military Technology Center in Saint Petersburg with great fanfare. He also hasn’t been at all shy about voicing his displeasure over how the Russian generals are prosecuting this war. His Wagner Group seems to be trying to come up with a victory that Prigozhin can call his own rather than doing anything to help the greater war effort. I think he either wants to prove he’s indispensable to whoever calls the shots in the Kremlin or maybe he’s thinking about becoming the one to call the shots.
TTG
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there is no documented evidence that Prigozin’s efforts did anything to help President Trump win the 2016 election. The increasing rancor since 2016 has been the result of the propaganda socialist media and its ceaseless attempts to discredit Trump. Coupled with an FIB/DOIJ/CDIA that has been politicized and a House that was obsessed with finding a way to exclude Trump from further participation in American politics there was indeed much rancor. We will see during the day today (11/8) how the electorate feels about the events of recent years. As to Prigozin’s activities to influence American elections we can’t really be surprised can we? America has tried to influence elections around the world since cold war days. I only regret America hasn’t been more successful.
BR, Trump continues to be his own source of “discredidation” each and everyday! There needs be no “socialist propaganda media” to do such!
Al: The country only “knows” Trump by what that “socialist propaganda media” says about him. They want socialism, he doesn’t. Did you expect them to say nice things? The socialist pols hate him for the same reason. Did you expect nice words from them? Academics (c’mon man, we know them) are also socialists who hate Trump. I know him as a New Yorker. I followed his doings in the NY Post and the NY Daily News etc. He has always been a public jerk. But I never wanted him for a best friend. He did good things as President. That’s what my measure was. Think about your comment. Who do you think reports, and in what vein, what President Trump says everyday.
Is anyone in the Pulitzer Prize winning press going to interview Christopher Steele, GCHQ, Mr. Misfud, or maybe a spokesperson for Perkins Coie?
Happy Russia Collusion Anniversary Day! Is there an election anywhere? Just curious on the timing of the oh so delightful reading.
Fred,
I was also curious about Prigozhin’s timing for his admission. I think it was to help build his credentials as an effective anti-Western Russian patriot.
I don’t know. Don’t you think a person with his ne’er do well reputation might be capable of the misdemeanor of online sarcasm?
Anyone know if his outfit prepares a Rigatoni Bolognese worthy of recommendation? It’s election day so Rigatoni ought to be on the menu.
Seen from afar…
It is quite clear: he serves the soup that the guests want served. And they want more.
In doing so, he is instrumental in weakening the US. Discord in the enemy is always a good thing to be aware of, no matter how weak it is.
It’s sad to say, but “good try” is the right word. It only depends on the health of the US public opinion to limit the damage and counterattack.
Many try to interfere in our elections for their own self interest. I would guess China and Mexico are high on the list.
Whitewall,
Many try to influence our elections. It would be negligent not to try. Interfering with black propaganda and similar dirty tricks is more the style of Russia, Iran and the US. China is actually more into influence rather than interference, much like Israel.
So, did he not try the same trick in 2020 elections?
Or, he tried, but failed?
Young,
Sure he did, but it didn’t have the same impact. The IC shined a light on the 2016 tactics and made them less effective. Even now, the Prigozhin tactics are largely confined to right wing social media so he’s preaching to the choir. But it helps to keep the base agitated.
TTG,
I can not take you seriously.
Russia, a country with a ham fisted and unsophisticated internal propaganda machine, is somehow much more sophisticated, and much more capable when operating a covert influence scheme, in a foreign country, with an alien culture they are poorly equipped to understand? And this campaign defeated, the assembled forces of network television, broadcast radio, the newspapers, Hollywood, academia, and the internet giants? All of which understand America quite well, and profoundly shape the most basic tastes and behaviors of Americans.
This not logical.
Once upon a time the Soviets fellow travelers, left wing intellectuals, academics, journalists, did influence America, to a great degree. But these are the same people who now largely run America, and have absolutely no affection for post Soviet Russia.
– Eliot
Eliot,
You are hopelessly naive. The Russians have been very good at this, both internally and externally, since the days of the USSR at least. I’ve spent near a decade operating against Putin’s version. I’ve seen it from the inside as it developed its capabilities. Russia’s allies are no longer fellow travelers and left wing intellectuals. They are those with an admiration for authoritarianism and strict nationalism. Those more associated with the right wing of American politics.
TTG; and so there I was in Ft Jackson in early Nov. ’68, and this guy w/stripes on his shoulders wanted the bunch of us to march around. First thing he said was you fu____ ass____holes had better get you f___ing left and right straight. Did that ever happen to you? Once most of us got it we got it. Then, some never can get it straight.
TTG,
Another remarkable showing by the Russian IO in this year’s mid-term elections. Bravo!
Fred,
Yep. They should have taken the hint when their 2020 effort underperformed their 2016 effort, but they continued to fight the last war. As I said, their digital IO effort was pretty much confined to right wing social media platforms. Precious few minds to change on those platforms. I bet the bursting of the illusion of Russian prowess and invincibility in Ukraine this year also affected their IO effort.
Then, We can trust the IC will save the day today, as they did in 2020.
Young,
You think this is a one day thing by the Russians and our IC? This particular battle has been waging since 2016. The larger Russian-US propaganda war has been going on for decades, more like a century now.
“You think this is a one day thing by the Russians and our IC?”
Thanks.
Maybe we should split up the US and Russia into more responsible and accountable nations? 😉 Ok, let’s add Ukraine, China and India. Who else.
Hubris has always been dangerous in totalitarian systems and this “chef” is displaying plenty of it. At some point, he will present a danger to Putin and then we will see who has the means to do something about it.
Prigozhin is not quite the strategic genius he pretends to be. He is a grifter. He made his bones early on by selling substandard food to Russian schools for kid’s lunches. And later he became part of the corruption that provided second rate meals to the Russian military, draining billions of rubles per year from the MoD budget.
Now he is making more bucks making dragons teeth made of crumbly un-reinforced concrete to set up the so-called Wagner Line protecting the border with Russia’s Belgorod Oblast and Luhansk and the so-called People’s Republic there.
His latest recruits fighting in Ukraine are convicts riddled with HIV and Hepatitis C. Medics refuse to treat them when wounded. Prigozhin himself is a former jailbird, he spent years in a penal colony for mugging and burglary. His victims of choice were typically women.
Leith
Thank you for shining this light. My problem with it all was how fast and easy our so-called leadership sold their souls to the devil. Every national, state or local public face is a disgrace. Not one of the current crop deserve respect. I’ve met several high school football coaches I’d trust more to right this ship than any on the ballot, today. It isn’t about credentials, and if the ‘experience’ is all about corruption, then only character remains. And the support of a people with faith. Yeah, I don’t expect to see that.
Leith,
It would seem Prigozhin and his Wagners are now in competition with the regular Russian Army for resources. I wonder how that dynamic will play out.
I imagine his Wagners have had significant losses, thinning out the professional core. At some point his control of it will be imperiled. Perhaps his decision to become noisy reflects fear. In a condition of the Wagners being a punch line more than anything else, of what use would be be to anyone?
Mark Logan –
You may be right about him being fearful. The Wagner Group claim to fame in Ukraine is in the Battle of Popasna. But that was a hollow victory as when the Wagnerites pushed into Popasna the Ukrainian Army had already pulled out. And in Bakhmut they have been stalled for months, unable to take the city.
I suspect you are quoting from the Russian equivalent of the Babylon Bee. Perhaps they edited out the line about enjoying the kidneys and liver with a nice chianti.
When Robert Mueller’s team indicted Concord Management (one of Prigozhin’s businesses), little did they expect to have to go to court. Prigozhin hired American attorneys to defend the group, and when they went to the court for discovery of the evidence against Concord, lo and behold, that evidence was far too sensitive to be actually exposed to the light of day. The indictments were all dropped.
Peter VE,
The indictments against two of Prigozhin’s shell companies, Concord Management and Concord Consulting, were dropped. All other indictments still stand. Those two indicted entities were dropped because the lawyers were using the indictments to discover all evidence held by the government while not exposing Prigozhin or any of the other indicted to any consequences of appearing in court. They were seeking to obtain the government’s sources and methods. Slick move by Prigozhin’s lawyers.
LOL. The comments were intended as satirical nonsense, yes. He was in fact ridiculing the garbage propaganda that permeates the US news outlets.
AngusinCanada,
The comment about extracting kidneys and livers was pure theater. That he acknowledged his part in the IRA and Wagner Group was not. He said as much about the IRA’s activities back in 2018 when he was indicted, just not as bluntly as he did in his recent comments.
TTG,
Obviously, his comment was sarcasm. I cannot believe that you failed to laugh at the humor.
The Russians are quite capable in many areas and what they are best at is lying and stealing. To widespread astonishment, what they are not that good at is fighting wars. As far as the interfering in our elections, they are still at it, but not as effective anymore.
As has been pointed out, they get some traction with duping the already duped.
Sort of like missing links who hurl rocks from trees.
Here is what I would worry about: the Russian military establishment.
The military is a Russian institution with a history that is promoted and glorified internally. The Russian military is clearly treated with great deference by all levels of their society in normal circumstances.
And now it is not, by people like Prigozhin. He has a media platform and uses it to both criticize and humiliate the Russian military in public. He makes no secret that he thinks Russian military tactics, strategy, and combat skills are inferior to his private army.
Like a coil being repressed, I wonder how long before the military establishment springs towards a rival and tormentor like this.
The boarding school boy must understand his fellow school mates well.from an early age.
Where is wagner.
Prigozhin is most likely playing with your head.
Yes, guys, I’ve met different boobies, but you are the biggest. Many of you do not understand a simple axiom – the Russians have ceased to respect you as a nation and the United States as a country. It doesn’t matter what this particular person says, I’m talking about the attitude towards you from the Russian nation. Whoever is not familiar with Russian psychology (and you obviously only communicated with Russians in New York and Chicago, ha ha), then such a change in the attitude of Russians towards you means only one thing – there will be no more serious negotiations, agreements or concessions on their part. And they already perceive you as a natural disaster. Guys, congratulations on this. And yes, this is bilious sarcasm.
Then, why do they crave Western goods and services? Most Russians are like sheep and just doing what they are told, but there are growing cracks in that scenario. They may not want to negotiate, until they have to and the more the bodies pile up, that day will come sooner.
What Western goods and services do Russians crave? The Moscow elites might, but not the typical Russian. There is a common Russian phrase that covers this – «Москва – не Россия.» “Moscow is not Russia.” And if you think that most Russians are like sheep, you’ve obviously never had much to do with either sheep, or Russians.
When both of my daughters wanted phones, a laptop or tablet, they didn’t want Western brands (made in China), but Chinese brands (made in China). The Chinese brands were considered of a better quality and more reliable.
Should you ever step out of your US isolationism, you will find that for most of the world, Westen goods are no longer considered of a high quality or value.
Lars is a European immigrant to the US.
Sure Pete. That’s why retreating Russians are stealing European made home appliances from Ukrainian homes.
I’m sorry Leith. but have you ever tried to carry a washing machine? You are a fool who accepts Western propaganda. Meanwhile in the US, companies are buying appliances for chips.
Peter Williams,
Videos and photos of Ukrainian loot strapped to Russian tanks and trucks have been published since the early days of the invasion. The same is now seen in Russian positions as they are being over run by Ukrainian troops.
Pete –
Thanks for the complement, although I did not bring washing machines into this conversation. That was you. I try to read both sides. It helps. You might want to try it sometime to get a more rounded viewpoint.
BTW I have loaded and unloaded a washer anD dryer onto and off of my pickup when I was a bit younger. Not impossible. I’m not a big guy, so I’m sure you or Vlad can do it also.
So educate me on who/what Russia is today. Is it a European or Asian country? Do the Urals really divide Russia b/t Europe and Asia or does one need also to separate the bitter North of Europe and the Moslem south? Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinaburg are not Russia? So who is? Since the Mongols Russia has been an enigma, is she still today? Who/what is Russia to the east of the Urals. Is this Asiatic Russia more interested in being Chinese or Russian. Let me be brief; Russians, WTF are they?
Russia is Russia. It is is a country in Eurasia. (Russia accepts and teaches that there is a Eurasian continent with a European, Arabian and Indian sub-continents.) The Moslem south? Are you an ignorant redneck? Pravoslavi and Muslims have lived together, worked and married together for some 500 years. I married into a “Russian” family in Sverdlovskaya. I have Russian and Tatar inlaws, as well as Jewish and German inlaws. The old line 5 meant little to Russians ( in the Rossiyane sense). Family is family. Russians are Russians!
There is a good video interview of a Russian MP patrol in Syria. The OIC is Sunni, the 2IC is Shia, the troops are Pravoslavi, Buddhists, various Muslim, a single Jew, and a few Agnostic/Atheist – but they had one thing in common, they were all Rossiyane, citizens of Russia.
I’m sorry that you grew up in a country with such a poor educational system.
I am better informed b/c of your kind remarks. Tnx
Well, I will put your two daughters against about 8 of my relatives who are all planning to visit the US next spring. In addition, many new words in Swedish are all based on American idioms. While some of the hardware is made elsewhere, the software still mostly come from the West and particularly the US. Even your daughters may run US software.
No doubt there are differences between Moscow, St. Petersburg and the rest of the country, but they are still the more important cities and lead the nation, including driving German cars.
I expect that when the necessary changes arrive in Russia, it will start in the political centers on one hand and in the faraway locations that resent the big city influences.
Col. Lang has told me that you are a European immigrant to the US, so what does that hav to do to my daughters? And no, my daughters do not run US software, I insisted on Astra Linux, a Russian Linux as it was going to be used in Russian schools. Linux is an international OS with national variations.
German cars? Over priced, over complicated POS! In Australia, I drive an old Toyota Camry, made in Australia at the time. Why would I drive a European POS? Why would I pay ten times the price for parts? You Europeans are going to find out that the world has had enough with your supremacist BS. GFY.
PW
I’m European and work in a tech field, and IMO western technological dominance will be difficult for Russia and/or China to overcome.
Ill give you a few examples.
Most of my friends/family, including myself opted for Huawei smartphones a few years back. They were great phones and so many were buying them. Then Trump hit Huawei with sanctions which among other things meant no more Google software. I don’t know anyone who has bought a Huawei phone since.
Astra linux is fine for many things, but the operating system is just one component. What about applications. How many Russian companies are reliant on Autodesk, Microsoft, Adobe, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens and countless other US and western companies for their software and hardware needs ?
It is one thing to slap a different name on a fast food joint, quite another to build a modern piece of tech.
As for the cars, these days, they all tend to be overengineered and overpriced. Ideally, you would drive something that you can easily find affordable parts for and your local mechanics can fix in their sleep since they grew up fixing certain brands.
In these parts, these are brands like VW and not Chevy.