Evgeny Prigozhin was a man who trusted very few people, but all of his men trusted him. While his country’s army was crashing due to the invasion of Ukraine, his greatest conquest was in Africa. There, he had an important comrade named Maxim Shugaley, a political strategist who was implicated in Russian interference in the presidential elections in Madagascar. Today, Shugaley believes that Russia was involved in Prigozhin’s death.
Months after Prigozhin’s death, Shugaley felt like a chronic orphan, much like an old person who has lost their leader with whom they chose to fight. He suspects foul play in Prigozhin’s death, as the circumstances surrounding the plane crash on August 23, 2023, seemed too coincidental. Shugaley points out that it was one of the few times that the leadership of Wagner, including Prigozhin, traveled together, which raises suspicions about internal forces being involved.
Wagner, the mercenary group, was highly valued for their efficiency and quick decision-making process. Shugaley had a close connection with Wagner and Prigozhin. In 2019, Shugaley was detained in Libya and Prigozhin played a crucial role in securing his release. Shugaley is deeply disappointed by the lack of progress in the investigation into Prigozhin’s death and believes that internal forces are involved.
Shugaley currently leads the Foundation for the Protection of National Values and is concerned that the fight they were involved in will be forgotten. He feels uneasy about the response within his country regarding the incident and is worried about the vacuum in the media. While Wagner has been accused of heinous crimes, Shugaley fears that their sacrifices and role in history will be misrepresented or forgotten if there isn’t enough attention given to it by media outlets.
Despite the risks and uncertainties associated with speaking out against those in power or working for controversial groups like Wagner – even when they helped organizations such as Taliban – Shugaley stands by his actions and cooperation with Wagner even during contentious situations.
For him
