For those following the Ukraine events since 2014 and the disappearance of such bold Russian nationalist commanders as Motorola, Givi, Zakharchenko, and even the exclusion of Pavel Gubarev, founder of the Donbass Militia, in favor of the appointed bureaucrat Pushilin — it is an epic story of betrayal, insubordination and punishment. Igor Strelkov, the unofficial leader of the nationalist group, is in jail while Gen. Sergei Surovikin, head of the aerospace forces and commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, is dismissed without information about his whereabouts. And now Prigozhin. 

First, we hear Kadyrov (below) implying that Prigozhin’s  tragic fate was caused by his acting in a rebellious way in a complex situation. The military top brass, Shoigu and Gerasimov, as corrupt and incompetent as they were/are, were political appointees selected as part of the fine act of balancing any centrifugal forces in the multiethnic Russia. Prigozhin wanted to take them to the woodshed and give them a good thrashing. But that was not possible, politically, as they were part of the  circle of Putin’s political allies.

The next video below confirms the context in which Prigozhin openly defied the Kremlin big wigs, which went way beyond any mere “mischief” and implied an outright attack on the authority and the decisions of the Russian government. That was certainly not acceptable.

Ramzan Kadyrov’s message about Yevgeny Prigozhin

We were friends for a long time.

With Yevgeny Viktorovich, we often had to solve the most difficult issues. He was distinguished from others by responsiveness, unique sociability and perseverance. He came to Grozny at my very first invitation, although he was older than me. You could discuss any topic and problem with him. He was always ready to help and really helped from the bottom of his heart. We also assisted him in some issues on Libya and Africa. We had a lot in common. On one of his visits, he presented me with a Wagner gold medal “For Special Merits.” You can see this moment in the photo.

Yevgeny Viktorovich was very active for his age, he was an important person on a national scale. But recently he either did not see or did not want to see the full picture of what is happening in the country. I asked him to leave personal ambitions for the sake of matters of paramount national importance. Everything else could be decided later. But he was like that, Prigozhin, with his iron character and desire to achieve his goal right here and now.

Undoubtedly, he made a great contribution to the SMO. And this merit cannot be taken away from him. His death is a great loss for the entire state.

I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Yevgeny Viktorovich.

The second piece is Scott Ritter talking to Judge Napolitano.