Pavel Prigozhin, 25, is said to be taking over the Wagner group.
The same reports claim that the mercenaries could be redeployed in Ukraine – if the negotiations go the new leader’s way.
According to the Kremlin, the former Wagner commando Andrei “Grayhair” Troshev now works for the Russian Ministry of Defense. The statement has been seen as a way to regain control of the Wagner Group – but the mercenaries themselves say that “Gråhår” was never a leader for them.
According to the American think tank Institute for the study of war, ISWinstead Yevgeny Prigozhin’s 25-year-old son Pavel Prigozhin may be on the way to take command of the Wagner group.
ISW refers to a Wagner-linked Telegram channel which claims that Pavel Prigozhin, who was previously responsible for a large part of his father’s empire, now leads the paramilitary group.
Inherit money and troops
Pavel also looks set to inherit the vast majority of his father’s wealth, including the military troops, real estate and just over £100m – according to a photograph posted on social media of what appears to be Prigozhin’s will.
Furthermore, it is reported that Pavel Prigozhin is currently negotiating with the Russian National Guard to allow the Wagner Group to fight in Ukraine again – and that they will be allowed to retain their name, symbols, ideology, commander and “existing standard operating principles”.
Russia bid farewell to Prigozhin
The announcement came on Sunday, the same day that the Russian people said goodbye to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin. Just 500 meters from Red Square in Moscow, mourners gathered to lay flowers and light candles.
– As Yevgeny Prigozhin himself said: The Wagner group are the best in hell. If we die, we will be the best in hell, says Wagner veteran Dmitry Belousov to the AFP news agency.
The military leader was also honored at his grave in Saint Petersburg, writes independently The Moscow Times. The newspaper reports that some on the scene believed that Prigozhin’s death was faked – and that others accused the Russian regime of being behind the plane crash that took his life.
– I am 100 percent sure. They betrayed him and the people of Russia, says Wagner follower Andrej, 57.
Putin & Prigozhin: betrayal, revenge and murder
The warlord who defied the Russian elite, who for a moment seemed to sway President Putin, but seems to have paid for this with his life.