Putin's feared mercenary army boss pal 'worse' than Vlad and 'could take over'

Rumblings are increasingly emerging about Putin's Chef, the internet troll and paramilitary group chief who has thrived in the chaos of Russia's war in Ukraine and is tipped by some to take over one day

Harry Thompson Senior Feature Writer

11:28, 02 Jan 2023Updated 16:49, 02 Jan 2023

One possible successor to Vladimir Putin could be “worse” than the Russian dictator and is currently consolidating power in Russian politics.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as Putin’s Chef and chief of the Wagner Group mercenary army, is one of the few figures in Russian politics moving up the ladder while many others fall away – or out of windows.

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A report in the New York Post claims sources are warning that not only could he be a very plausible successor to the president, but that he “could be worse”.

Repositioning and political movements have seen him increasingly shift into a position of strength, and support from extremists, successful communication and his terrifying Wagner force are all key reasons reports claim he could be "worse" than Putin.

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In matters of succession, it helps to have your own army (file) (Image: Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to Foreign Policy, Russian political opposition figure Lyubov Sobol said: “There will be a lot of political turmoil after Putin. Anyone will be able to take part.”

Increasingly Prigozhin’s been outspoken about the failings of Russian military strategy in Ukraine and has supported his Wagner Group forces in their complaints about poor equipment and strategy.

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Questions have been asked about how much longer Putin will be in power (file) (Image: Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Yevgeny Prigozhin could be 'worse' than Putin (file) (Image: Getty Images)

In a thinly veiled attack on the commander of the Russian Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, he said: “The guys asked me to pass along that when you’re sitting in a warm office, it’s hard to hear about the problems on the front line, but when you’re dragging the dead bodies of your friends every day and seeing them for the last time – then supplies are very much needed.”

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The architect of the Internet Research Farm, an online troll group that attacks targets online around the world, he is also in control of a powerful propaganda tool while his Wagner mercenaries give him a valuable physical weapon in any possible power struggle.

Yevgeny Prigozhin has become a part of Putin's inner circle (file) (Image: SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

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In April, CIA chief Bill Burns noted the Russian President’s “circle of advisers narrowed” and in that circle it seems that Prigozhin’s influence is growing.

Named Putin’s Chef for the catering business he ran – Concord – reports claim his boldness among Putin’s inner circle is growing despite clashes with members of Putin's old guard that have surrounded him through the years.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe, Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky said: “He is looking for his place in this new reality that has come into existence after [fighting started] and that has brought him into conflict with many powerful people.”

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