“The head of the mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, seeks leadership of the Just Russia party; The Kremlin is trying to undermine his position and discredit him,” the American Institute of War Studies (ISW) said in its latest report.
Progozhin’s aspirations
Prigozhin would likely want to take control of the Just Russia-For Truth party, as evidenced by his close dealings with current leader Sergei Mironov
– writes ISW, referring to, among other things, the reports of the Russian independent portal Meduza.
Prigozhin, who has strengthened his position in Russian politics thanks to his involvement in the war against Ukraine, is also in competition with the governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov. According to Meduza, the government of the President (Chancellery) is against such strengthening of Prigozhin and will not allow him to take control of the party.
Increased interest of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Prigozhin
The Institute of the Interior notes that for the first time an official institution – the State Department – responded to the critical opinion of the “businessman” who built his influence (but also a group of opponents) by making bold statements on various state affairs . structures, led by the Ministry of Defense. The reason was criticism of the ministry’s policy towards African states and the plans of the Russian presidency of the UN Security Council.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s attack on Prigozhin is a continuation of the Kremlin’s attempts to discredit him and undermine his position
– writes ISW, assessing that both the Ministry of Diplomacy and other Russian institutions and Kremlin circles are interested in stopping the public ambitions of a businessman who gained recognition and support thanks to the war.
At the same time, ISW points out that Wagner’s forces continue to commit war crimes in Ukraine. Think tank refers to a photo that appeared on Russian social media – it shows the severed head of a Ukrainian soldier.
The State Duma plans the self-censorship and ext. repression
In criticizing the State Department, Prigozhin probably wanted to show himself as an able statesman who could influence foreign policy and gain support from Russian ultra-nationalist circles.
– indicates the ISW. He also points out that Prigozhin tries to strengthen his own position, eg exaggerating the merits of Wagner’s mercenaries at the front, and criticizing the authorities.
An American think tank has found that the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, is planning to tighten penalties for treason and terrorist activities. The relevant amendments have already been approved by the parliamentary committee. These changes, according to ISW, are “part of wider efforts to strengthen self-censorship and create legal conditions for repression in the country.”
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rm/PAP
Source: wPolityce