Mercenary Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin Laid to Rest in Private Funeral Amid High Security
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the renowned mercenary chief and head of the infamous Wagner Group, has been laid to rest in a private funeral in his hometown of St. Petersburg. The funeral, held in a closed format, took place at the Porokhovskoe cemetery. While the press service of Prigozhin’s organization invited those who wished to say their final goodbyes to visit the cemetery, no further details were provided regarding the ceremony.
This news comes after Russian officials confirmed Prigozhin’s death following genetic analysis of 10 bodies recovered from a plane crash near Moscow on August 23rd. Among the deceased was Dmitry Utkin, Prigozhin’s right-hand man. The crash, which occurred in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, raised numerous speculations about its cause. However, the Kremlin has promptly dismissed any allegations attributing blame to the government.
Prigozhin, 62, had been facing scrutiny and whisperings of his impending demise ever since his involvement in an unsuccessful armed mutiny in June. Considered a dead man walking by Russia watchers both domestically and abroad, his mysterious persona was further enhanced by his frequent disguise using wigs and fake beards.
The funeral arrangements sparked intense speculation throughout the day. With no advance warning or official announcement, social media was rife with discussions about potential burial sites, with at least four different cemeteries being considered. Ultimately, it was revealed that Prigozhin had been laid to rest in Porokhovskoe Cemetery, located on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, alongside his late father. The ceremony reportedly attracted only a handful of attendees and did not include any military honors.
Security measures surrounding the funeral were considerably heightened, reflecting the sensitive nature of Prigozhin’s activities. The Wagner mutiny organized by Prigozhin was viewed as an act of treachery by the Kremlin, prompting a desire to keep the event as discreet as possible. As members of the media gathered outside the cemetery, the area was placed under tight security. Police officers, sniffer dogs, anti-drone personnel, and riot police were deployed, ensuring the lockdown of the premises.
While the funeral may have been low-key, the heightened security around the event emphasized its significance. The implications of Prigozhin’s involvement in the Wagner mutiny were highly consequential, and the Russian authorities preferred minimal attention to be drawn to the ceremony, as they considered the matter closed.
In conclusion, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the enigmatic mercenary chief, has been laid to rest in a private funeral in St. Petersburg. The sensitive nature of his activities and the repercussions of the Wagner mutiny led to heightened security measures surrounding the event. As the ceremony took place in a closed format, only a few individuals had the opportunity to bid farewell to Prigozhin.
