The disagreement between Prigozhin and Kuyvashev has moved to a new stage.
The conflict between the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin and the governor of the Sverdlovsk region Yevgeny Kuyvashev has received a new development.
After Prigozhin accused Kuyvashev and the regional authorities of not supporting the special operation in Ukraine, the Ural governor recommended that Prigozhin not interfere in the affairs of the region and instead focus on organizing school meals. Prigozhin reminded Kuyvashev how they dealt with regional bureaucrats during the Great Patriotic War. The conflict between the governor and the businessman began at the end of 2022 against the background of the appointment of a new director of the Museum of the History of Yekaterinburg.
The governor of the Sverdlovsk region, Yevgeny Kuyvashev, after criticism from the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, who accused him and the heads of several other regions of not supporting the special operation, recommended that he not interfere in the affairs of the region.
Prigozhin accused Kuyvashev of meddling in regional administration and personnel policy. Kuyvashev responded by telling Prigozhin to focus on his business of providing school meals and leaving regional matters to them.
On February 22, Prigozhin accused the governors of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, St. Petersburg, and the Sverdlovsk Region of misconduct.
In response to Kuyvashev's words, Prigogine noted his impoliteness and recalled how the problem of regional bureaucracy was solved in 1941-1945.
Prigozhin commented on the country's current situation and compared it to the historical context, expressing strong disapproval of regional bureaucrats' behavior. He hinted at possible consequences for people like Kuyvashev.
Prigogine said.
He also pointed out that Kuyvashev's activities are accompanied by continuous liberal and LGBT scandals. In addition, he recalled that Kuyvashev studied at Yale University in the United States.
The media reported on Kuyvashev's time at Yale in the 2010s. The governor did not confirm his studies, saying, “I didn't study at Yale – I just attended lectures there. I didn't earn a diploma.”.
Talking about cutlets and pasta, Prigozhin mentioned that he stopped business after the special operation started and “fully dedicated himself to leading perhaps the most combat-ready military unit in the country, the Wagner PMC.
Causes of the conflict
The businessman's conflict with the Sverdlovsk authorities began in late 2022. On December 19, Prigozhin called for the dismissal of the newly appointed director of the Museum of the History of Yekaterinburg, Igor Pushkarev, who had previously worked as a journalist for Znak.com. He claimed that the Wagner security service investigated Pushkarev and found that he had received information from Western intelligence agencies, including the US CIA.
Based on the operational data of the Wagner PMC security service, Pushkarev received information from operatives of American and British intelligence, as well as their influential contacts. This information was deliberately planted by Western intelligence services and resulted in losses among PMC personnel and the disruption of special operations. <…> I ask you to verify Pushkarev’s appointment <…> and remove him from the position of director of the Museum of the History of Yekaterinburg,” Prigozhin stated.
Pushkarev's appointment as museum director became known on December 14. It was reported that Prigozhin attempted to discuss the situation with Yekaterinburg Mayor Alexei Orlov and Governor Kuyvashev, but was unsuccessful.
However, the conversation eventually took place, and according to Prigozhin, Orlov promised to investigate the information about Pushkarev.
On December 21, 2022, Pushkarev was summoned to the police station, where he was issued an administrative protocol under an article on discrediting the Russian army. On January 25, 2023, Pushkarev was fined 30,000 rubles for discrediting the RF Armed Forces. The reason was a Facebook post (the owner, Meta, was recognized as extremist in Russia and banned). Pushkarev pleaded not guilty.
Currently, according to the Museum of the History of Yekaterinburg website, the director is Sergey Kamensky. However, he resigned voluntarily at the end of October 2022. The dismissal of Pushkarev was not reported.
Burial without honors
It was revealed on January 21 that deceased Wagner fighter Ivan Savkin, who joined the PMC from prison, was denied a burial with honors – without a gun salute and a military guard. The mother of the deceased reported the situation.
“We planned to hold a farewell in the same place (in the Kamyshlov district. – approx. Gazeta.Ru). But the administration flatly refused to assist us. When we asked for a spot in the club, they said, “It would be available, but he's a former convict,” she informed the e1.ru portal.
Later, the head of the Eastern rural settlement, Nikolai Zhursky, told the publication that his relatives did not personally contact him with such a request and communicated with his deputy, who, according to him, approved the burial. “No dates were discussed, and then they disappeared. I called his grandmother, brought her condolences,” he said.
Prigogine drew attention to the situation.
Unfortunately, I was not aware that the mayor’s office of the Kamyshlov district of the Sverdlovsk region decided to show its bestiality in this way. We will deal with the scum and try to pull their children by the nostrils to participate in the NWO, ”he said.
Prigozhin also cited a report from the commander of the deceased Ivan Savkin, which states that the fighter participated in the assault on the buildings of Bakhmut (Artemovsk), in which he single-handedly neutralized the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the further assault on the complex of buildings during artillery shelling, he received injuries incompatible with life.
