Makeshift memorials for Yevgeny Prigozhin and commanders of his private army, Wagner PMC, mushroomed across Russia much before they were officially confirmed dead in a jet crash on August 23. From Rostov and Belgorod bordering Ukraine, to Tobolsk and Perm in Ural and Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, people of all ages came to lay flowers and light candles.
In Saint Petersburg, the birthplace of both Prigozhin and President Vladimir Putin, the memorial was in front of the former Wagner PMC office at Zolnaya Street. The makeshift memorial was filled with flowers and flags, icons and Wagner stripes and even soft toys. "He was the real patriot, he did a lot for Russia," a man in his 40s said as he placed fresh carnations. For youngsters, the memorial quickly turned into a selfie point.
Prigozhin was among the 10 people on board the Embraer 135BJ Legacy 600 business jet flying from Moscow to Saint Petersburg that crashed over the Tyumen region. Several Wagner commanders died in the crash, including Dmitry 'Wagner' Utkin-whose call sign is believed to have given the private military company its name and Valery Chekalov, Sergei Propustin, Alexander Totmin and Yevgeny Makaryan.
Commenting on Prigozhin's demise even before it was officially confirmed by Russia's investigative committee on August 27 (after DNA tests), Putin noted that the Wagner chief was "a man with a complicated life path" who "made serious mistakes" but also "delivered results".
Many officials echoed Putin's assessment of Prigozhin's personality. Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic in southern Russia, said achievements "cannot be denied". But he was quick to underline that "in recent times" the Wagner chief "failed to see or refused to see the greater picture". Kadyrov claimed he urged Prigozhin to drop personal ambition. "But that's how he was, Prigozhin, with his iron character and desire to get his way right here and now," he said.
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WHEN THE FILTERS FAIL
With chronic kidney disease on the rise in India, THE WEEK spoke to four patients to chronicle their struggles and hopes
STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF DEMENTIA
ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF STROKE survivors will eventually get a diagnosis of dementia, finds a Canadian study published in the journal Neurology.
Highs and lows of aviation safety
A recent spate of fatal air accidents around the world has once again sparked a debate about aviation safety. With India's aviation sector being the fastest growing in the world, this should interest all Indians. As an active pilot for three decades, it is certainly of great interest to me.
IS SEATED OR SUPINE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT MORE ACCURATE?
A STUDY FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY, published in JAMA Cardiology, found that patients who had elevated blood pressure while lying down (supine position) were at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and death-even if their seated blood pressure readings were normal.
Beating cervical cancer
When detected early, it is highly treatable with good outcomes
REGULAR FLOSSING MAY REDUCE RISK OF STROKE/AFIB
REGULARLY FLOSSING YOUR TEETH may not only protect your gums, but also lower your risk of stroke as well as irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation.
TWIN PREGNANCIES DOUBLE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE
MOTHERS OF TWINS are twice as likely to be hospitalised for heart disease in the year after delivery, according to a US study published in the European Heart Journal. The risk is even greater for mothers of twins who had high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Banking on biosimilars
The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a biosimilar boom, and India is among the best-positioned countries to capitalise on it. Biosimilars are biological medicines that closely resemble an already-approved reference biologic.
PREHABILITATION BEFORE SURGERY IMPROVES OUTCOMES
WHAT IS PREHABILITATION, or prehab? It refers to the process of preparing for a surgery by exercising and eating a nutritious diet to improve surgical outcomes.
CULTURE IN A CLAY POT
Chef Regi Mathew takes Kerala cuisine to New York with Chatti, hoping to showcase the immense potential of Indian regional food
