Yevgeny Prigozhin several times, even before the armed uprising, harshly criticized the Russian military leadership. And now a recent survey by the reputable Levada Center shows that close to half of Russians, 46 percent, think the criticism was – at least partially – justified.
Among Russians who stated that they mainly got their information about the mutiny from television, 36 percent answered that way.
Perhaps that is why the tone is currently very harsh in the Kremlin-loyal media.
Pictures are said to show raids on Prigozhin’s home
On state television, images are shown that are said to show Russian police raiding Prigozhin’s office and home in Saint Petersburg. Prigozhin allegedly kept large amounts of cash there. In addition, the Wagner boss is said to have managed to get several different passports issued to himself in different names.
Among the information, there are also bizarre elements such as Prigozhin allegedly keeping sledgehammers with the text “in case of important negotiations” and a framed photograph with severed human heads.
Compare Prigozhin with Hitler
It is, of course, impossible to know what, if anything, is true of all this. But it is clear that the tone is harsh towards the Wagner boss. The presenter of a popular program on state television, Yevgeny Popov, on Wednesday night stated that Wagner’s soldiers are heroes led by the “traitor” Prigozhin. In addition to his job as a TV presenter, Popov also sits in the Duma for the United Russia party.
Mikhail Leontyev, deputy CEO of the state oil company Rosneft, goes even further than Popov and compares Prigozhin to Hitler.
– It is said that Prigozhin told the truth. Yes, until then? Hitler’s speech after the attack on the Soviet Union consisted of 80 percent truths, but he still remains Hitler, Leontyev said in a program.