Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is buried in private, ending his tumultuous journey
Yevgeny Prigozhin, ending a tumultuous journey from St. Petersburg street thug to Kremlin-financed mercenary leader, following a suspicious plane crash two months after his brief mutiny that challenged the authority of President Vladimir Putin.
His spokespeople said on Tuesday a service took place behind closed doors, and directed «those who wish to bid their farewell» to the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor to go to the Porokhovskoye cemetery in his hometown.
Their statement ended media speculation on where and when Prigozhin would be laid to rest, with his funeral shrouded in secrecy.
A wooden cross towered over his grave covered with flowers and two flags nearby — a Russian tricolour and a black Wagner flag.
Russian media cited unidentified sources as saying Prigozhin was laid to rest Tuesday without any publicity, per his family's wishes.
Members of the Russian National Guard stood along the fence at the cemetery, steering visitors away after it closed for the day.
Putin's spokesman said the president would not attend the service. The Russian leader had decried the armed rebellion in June as «treason» and «a stab in the back.»
The secrecy and confusion surrounding the funeral of Prigozhin and his top lieutenants reflected a dilemma faced by the Kremlin amid swirling speculation that the crash was likely a vendetta for his June 23-24 uprising.
While it tried to avoid any pomp-filled ceremony for him, the Kremlin couldn't afford to denigrate Prigozhin, who reportedly received Russia's highest award for leading Wagner forces in Ukraine and was idolized by many of the country's hawks.
Putin's comments on Prigozhin's death reflected that careful stand.
