[Mr. Prigogine Strict Funeral]Intelligence work where the administration and Wagner wriggle “struggle for interests” Sunday scoop (September 3, 2023)

The funeral of Mr. Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private military company Wagner, who died in a plane crash after he launched an armed uprising against the regime about two months ago, was held in Saint Petersburg on August 29. Security was put in place around the cemetery. The Putin administration is wary of Mr. Prigozhin being viewed as a hero. On August 30, Russian Presidential spokesman Peskov said, “We are investigating the possibility that the crash was deliberately caused,” and for the first time acknowledged the possibility that Mr. Prigozhin was assassinated. On August 31, social media sites close to Wagner released a video showing Prigogine. “I’m in Africa. For those who like speculation about my murder, my personal life and my work, all is well,” Prigogine said in the video. The video appears to have been taken a few days before he died in a plane crash, and it is highly likely that it was filmed on August 19th and 20th based on Mr. Prigogine’s remarks. According to the Wall Street Journal, on August 18, five days before he died in the crash, Prigogine visited Central Africa, where fighters were dispatched, and met with President Tuadera. “We will continue to provide military support, including personal protection for him,” Prigogine said. Wagner has built up huge concessions in African countries based on mining rights for rare metals and gems. Prigogine’s visit to Africa appears to have been aimed at preserving interests and influence. On the other hand, President Putin’s side also shows some movement against African interests. A delegation headed by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yevkurov visited Libya on August 22 and met with the commander of the Libyan National Army. Deputy Defense Minister Yevkurov is believed to be close to the Russian General Staff Intelligence Directorate (GRU). At the Russia-Africa Conference held at the end of July this year, Mr. Putin introduced Mr. Abelyanov, who is in charge of the covert operations division of the GRU, as the government’s representative in charge of Africa. He is suspected of involvement in the attempted assassination of a former Russian military intelligence officer in the UK in 2018 using the deadly poison Novichok. A strong feud between Mr Putin and Mr Prigozhin over holding interests in Africa may have led to Russian intelligence operations. ★Guests: Yoko Hirose (Professor, Keio University), Yuyuki Hasegawa (National Institute for Defense Studies) ★Anchor: Yoshimasa Suenobu (Journalist/Professor, Tokai University)
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