Close friend of Putin lashes out at wealthy 'easygoing' Russians at war
A powerful Russian, owner of Wagner's private army Yevgeny Prigozhin, has lashed out at wealthy compatriots for their lack of commitment to Russia's war against Ukraine. In a television interview, President Vladimir Putin's closest confidant portrayed the so-called oligarchs (influential business people) and other wealthy as easy-going faint-hearted.

"They all want to dive into a heated pool in the evening and have fun," Prigozhin complained in an interview with Russian state television RT. The government should take everything away from these Russians as soon as possible. Then they would also be willing to contribute to the battle and to support the troops at the front, the Wagner boss reasoned. "At some point you have to realize that you have to give up everything you have, from the world of temptations, the restaurants, spas, dachas, swimming pools."

Prigozhin's interview is remarkable. For a long time, the Putin accomplice did not even appear in front of cameras. On Saturday he was already at a funeral of a Wagner mercenary who died in Ukraine. The American Institute for War Studies sees his presence at the funeral and the interview as attempts to gain respect and influence in Russian society.