Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin-controlled media empire shuts down completely

Days after personal navy firm Wagner headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin tried to take over Moscow after which deserted it on the identical day, the group has introduced that it’s shutting down its media operations utterly. A director from a media publication underneath the media holding group managed by Prigozhin introduced the closure of the media holding firm that runs a number of media manufacturers. 

Patriot Media, owned by Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, will likely be shut down after the failed coup try. On the first of July, the holding’s social media account uploaded a late-night put up through which RIA FAN director Yevgeny Zubarev delivered a video message. RIA FAN is considered one of a number of media manufacturers underneath Patriot Media, which function separate media shops and publications.

In the video, Zubarev stated, “I am announcing our decision to close down and to leave the country’s information space.” However, he didn’t give any purpose for this sudden closure of the media outlet. 

RIA FAN information web site was thought of essentially the most distinguished outlet of Patriot Media. Previously, the information web site had taken a strongly nationalist, pro-Kremlin editorial line. Additionally, it additionally ran constructive protection of Prigozhin and his Wagner Group.

Other media manufacturers underneath Patriot Meda embrace the Federal News Agency, People’s News, Economy Today, Nevskiye Novosti, and Politics Today. All of those media homes are being shut down completely, because the Wagned Group has determined to exit the media house utterly.

Earlier, on the thirtieth of June, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the nation’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor had blocked media shops linked to Prigozhin. However, they didn’t elaborate on it any additional. 

Similarly, different Russian media reviews additionally confirmed in regards to the closure of the Prigozhin-controlled media outlet. Reports added {that a} “troll factory” allegedly utilized by Prigozhin to affect public opinion in international nations together with the United States had been disbanded.

Further, Zubarev praised Patriot Media’s document and said that they defended each Prigozhin and Putin from assaults by the anti-Kremlin opposition, together with jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny. 

As per Reuters’ report, he said that the Patriot Group had labored “against Alexei Navalny and other representatives of the opposition who genuinely tried to destroy our country.”

Crackdown towards Wagner Chief Prigozhin

The closure of the media group Patriot Media comes after the failure of the purported mutiny involving Prigozhin’s Wagner Group mercenaries. The growth highlights Prigozhin’s worsening fortunes.

Despite the rise up which was shortly aborted, Russian authorities haven’t formally banned the Wagner Group. However, on the twenty seventh of June, Putin introduced that the funds of Prigozhin’s catering agency could be investigated. 

He added that Wagner and its founder had obtained virtually $2 billion from Russia up to now 12 months. 

Notably, the Wagner group was based in 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula and began supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine’s japanese Donbas area. Wagner fighters have fought among the bloodiest battles of the 16-month warfare in Ukraine. The mercenary group has recruited 1000’s of ex-prisoners from the Russian jails. 

Under Prigozhin’s management, the mercenary group is claimed to have grown right into a sprawling worldwide enterprise with mining pursuits and fighters in Africa and the Middle East. But the rise up or mutiny is proving to be a expensive deal for this mercenary group and its chief Prigozhin. 

Earlier, on the twenty third of June, the Wagner Group staged a rise up towards the Russian management and its navy. However, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal between Russian President Putin and Wagner Chief Prigozhin. 

As a results of this deal, Prigozhin was allowed to take exile in Belarus. On the twenty fifth of June, Belarusian President Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin’s arrival in Belarus. 

Additionally, the negotiated deal allowed Wagner fighters to both be part of Prigozhin and take exile in Belarus or combine into Russian armed forces or return residence. The Russian President Putin additionally introduced to drop all costs towards the Wagner fighters. However, the current motion means that the aftermath of the rise up is way from over.