July 10, 2023

The Palace and Its Thousand Prigozhins


The Palace and Its Thousand Prigozhins
Wigs and money found at Yevgeny Pregozhin's Palace. Meduza, Telegram.

Following the failed mutiny by Yevgeny Pregozhin and his mercenary Wagner Group, Russian authorities began investigating the billionaire. The FSB raided his palace on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Photos of what was inside the raided mansion were leaked, revealing a new side of "Putin's chef."

The former hotdog salesman's mansion was filled with luxuries, including an iconostasis and a "hospital room" equipped with a respirator – scarce in Russia during the COVID pandemic. Walls in the mansion were decorated with diplomas and awards, including one from St. Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov. A picture was leaked of a military coat on a mannequin bearing the "Hero of Russia" star, the country's highest honorary title. However, unlike other recipients of this medal, Prigozhin's award event was not publicized. Fontanka estimated that Prigozhin received it on June 20, 2022, slightly over a year before his uprising.

Despite having his house embellished with Kremlin praise, a sledgehammer engraved with "for important negotiations," and a map with pictures of decapitated heads were also found in Prigozhin's palace. Authorities found stacks of dollars, gold, guns, wigs, and fake passports.

Images of Prigozhin
Montage from RT's Twitter

Kremlin-affiliated media have leaked pictures of Prigozhin wearing multiple disguises. Social media users quickly compared his costumes to a Borat-knockoff. Russia Today, a government-sponsored media outlettweeted a meme with many Prigozhin disguises with the caption, "Choose your fighter (or new Tinder profile pic)." 

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed Prigozhin's return to Russia.

 

You Might Also Like

Scared and Suspicious
  • July 04, 2023

Scared and Suspicious

Nearly half of Russians distrust official information regarding the war in Ukraine.
Wagner Group Still Allowed
  • June 26, 2023

Wagner Group Still Allowed

After Wagner Group's uprising, the State Duma announced new regulations, but did not ban the organization.
Prigozhin's Uprising
  • June 24, 2023

Prigozhin's Uprising

Russia's home-grown mercenaries have taken over Rostov-on-Don and threaten to march on the capital.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Frogs Who Begged...
November 01, 2010

Frogs Who Begged...

The fables of Ivan Krylov are rich fonts of Russian cultural wisdom and experience – reading and understanding them is vital to grasping the Russian worldview. This new edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations by Lydia Razran Stone are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955