A recently surfaced video appears to depict Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner group, addressing rumors concerning his well-being and potential threats to his life in Africa, just days before his untimely death.

In the video shared via the Grey Zone Telegram channel, purportedly linked to the Wagner group, Prigozhin clarifies his status. He states, “For everyone discussing whether I’m alive or not and how I’m doing… I’m in Africa. So for those who like to speculate about my liquidation, my private life, my work there, or anything else: everything’s fine.”

However, the Guardian has been unable to confirm the video’s authenticity, including its location and date, as it was filmed in a moving vehicle.

The video’s release coincided with Prigozhin’s camouflage outfit and hat matching his appearance in a separate video that he claimed was also filmed in Africa on August 21. Notably, Prigozhin’s reference to “a weekend in the second half of August 2023” in the video implies its recording date to be around August 19 or 20, shortly before his demise.

Yevgeny Prigozhin passed away on August 23, following a business jet crash. Just two months prior, he orchestrated an aborted mutiny against Russian military commanders through his Wagner mercenary troops, briefly gaining control of the southern city of Rostov and advancing towards Moscow.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Prigozhin appeared to be in a power struggle with Russia’s defense ministry regarding the future of his business endeavors in Africa. His comments in the video indicate his awareness of potential threats to his life.

Prigozhin, known for his preoccupation with personal safety, often employed body doubles and disguises to safeguard himself against potential dangers.

Although the Kremlin has denied involvement in Prigozhin’s death, Western intelligence assessments have suggested potential links. The Russian authorities are investigating the cause of the plane crash, and Moscow recently declared that the crash would not be subject to international rules for investigation.

Prigozhin’s private burial ceremony took place discreetly on the outskirts of his hometown, St. Petersburg, seemingly avoiding a larger public spectacle of support for the warlord.

His second-in-command, Dmitry Utkin, also tragically perished in the crash. Utkin, referred to as the co-founder of Wagner, was laid to rest in a Moscow cemetery.

With Prigozhin’s reference to the weekend, it is likely that the video was recorded on August 19 or 20. Another video, shared via the Orchestra Telegram account on August 22, shows Prigozhin wearing the same military attire in a desert-like environment.

Prigozhin’s visits to African countries, where Wagner conducted operations, in the days leading to his apparent death included meetings with government officials and exploration of new opportunities. His demise raises questions about potential motivations and circumstances.

As investigations continue, Prigozhin’s significant role in the Wagner Group and Russia’s expansion of influence in Africa through security arrangements and contracts underscore the complexity of his legacy.

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