Yevgeny Prigozhin spoke of threats to his life days before death, video appears to show

A recently surfaced video featuring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the alleged leader of the Wagner group, appears to show him addressing rumors about his well-being and potential threats to his life in Africa, just days before his untimely demise. The video, published by the Grey Zone Telegram channel linked to the Wagner group, depicts Prigozhin stating, "For everyone discussing whether I’m alive or not and how I’m doing. It’s currently a weekend in the second half of August 2023. I’m in Africa. So for those who like to speculate about my liquidation, my private life, my work there, or anything else: everything’s fine."

However, the exact location and date of the video remain unverified, though it appears to have been recorded inside a moving vehicle. Prigozhin's appearance in this clip matches that from a separate video released on August 21, where he also claimed to be in Africa. His reference to the "second half of August" suggests that the latest video was recorded on either August 19 or 20, just a few days before his tragic death.

Yevgeny Prigozhin met his demise in a plane crash on August 23, 2023, approximately two months after his Wagner mercenary troops staged an aborted mutiny against Russian military commanders, briefly seizing control of the southern city of Rostov and advancing toward Moscow.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Prigozhin seemed embroiled in a dispute with Russia's Defense Ministry concerning the future of his business interests in Africa. His comments in the video hint at his awareness of potential risks to his life. Notorious for his meticulous safety measures, Prigozhin frequently employed body doubles and disguises to minimize the threat of assassination.

The circumstances surrounding Prigozhin's death remain a subject of investigation and controversy. Despite Western intelligence assessments suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement, the Kremlin vehemently denies any role, labeling such claims as "an absolute lie." While Russian authorities have initiated an inquiry into the cause of the plane crash, they have yet to provide a conclusive explanation. Furthermore, Moscow has declared that the crash would not be investigated according to international protocols.

In the wake of Prigozhin's death, his burial was conducted in a highly secretive manner on the outskirts of his hometown, St. Petersburg, and was closed to outsiders. Notably, the Kremlin refrained from granting him a state funeral, possibly to avert a significant public display of support for the controversial figure.

Dmitry Utkin, Prigozhin's second-in-command and often described as the co-founder of the Wagner group, also perished in the crash. His funeral took place outside Moscow, with Utkin being laid to rest at the Mytishchi cemetery. A striking aspect of Utkin's public image was his association with neo-Nazi tattoos, as evidenced in a circulated selfie.

The circumstances surrounding Prigozhin's death and the future of the Wagner group continue to pique interest and speculation, underscoring the enigmatic and complex nature of this shadowy mercenary organization.