Russia’s Wagner threat is rearing its head again; Prigozhin's son retained control of mercenaries

Name: Russia’s Wagner threat is rearing its head again; Prigozhin's son retained control of mercenaries
Uploaded: 2026-10-21T22:07:53.982Z
Duration: 4 min
Channel: Kanal13

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Russian authorities attempted to transfer Wagner's African operations to the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense, but the mercenaries retained their previous positions in the Central African Republic. Researchers estimate that Yevgeny Prigozhin's family receives over $400 million annually from businesses associated with them. The Wall Street Journal said this. Following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023, Russian authorities seized control of Wagner structures and created the "Africa Corps" of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It was intended to assume the functions of mercenaries in Africa.

However, in the Central African Republic, Pavel Prigozhin managed to maintain influence over the group. According to The Wall Street Journal, this was facilitated by the country's President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who asked the Kremlin not to replace the Wagner mercenaries with Russian troops. According to the publication, Touadéra has integrated the group's fighters into the local police, army, and intelligence structures. Currently, there are approximately 500 mercenaries in the capital, Bangui. They guard the president and participate in battles against rebel forces. Gold mining remains one of the main sources of income. According to investigators, Prigozhin's companies control the largest gold mine in the Central African Republic, which generates approximately $250 million annually.

Journalists also discovered that gold had been shipped from the country to Belarus over the past three months. According to the publication's sources, local authorities helped organize the export, indicating in documents that the metal belonged to the state.

As The Wall Street Journal reports, in April 2026, Pavel Prigozhin met with government officials in Bangui to discuss gold shipments abroad, circumventing international controls. According to the journalists' sources, the country's Minister of Mines, Rufin Behnam Beltungou, participated in the negotiations.

Researchers from the Global Initiative to Combat Transnational Organized Crime estimate the Prigozhin family's combined annual income at more than $400 million. The activities of Wagner-linked entities are not limited to gold mining. According to The Wall Street Journal, they also supply weapons to armed groups in Sudan and Libya.

Another area is the market for tramadol, an opioid painkiller. According to journalists, Prigozhin's companies control a significant portion of its sales in the Central African Republic.

The country also produces alcoholic beverages, including vodka and beer. The business also includes local radio stations that broadcast pro-Russian messages, criticize Western countries, and support President Touadéra.

Researchers note that the group's economic interests are closely linked to its military presence in the country.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Pavel Prigozhin lives in St. Petersburg but regularly travels to Bangui. During his visits, he stays at the Ledger Plaza Hotel, which has become the de facto headquarters of Wagner Group in the CAR.

The hotel grounds are guarded by armed personnel. Even high-ranking government officials undergo security checks before meeting with Prigozhin.

After his father's death, Pavel inherited his estate, which was valued at approximately 12 billion rubles at the time. According to his will, he also had to provide for the widow, two daughters, and mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Experts interviewed by The Wall Street Journal suggest that an agreement with the Kremlin may have helped Pavel maintain his position in the Central African Republic. However, the article provides no public confirmation of such an agreement.

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Russian authorities attempted to transfer Wagner's African operations to the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense, but the mercenaries retained their previous positions in the Central African Republic. Researchers estimate that Yevgeny Prigozhin's family receives over $400 million annually from businesses associated with them. The Wall Street Journal said this. Following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023, Russian authorities seized control of Wagner structures and created the Africa Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It was intended to assume the functions of mercenaries in Africa. However, in the Central African Republic, Pavel Prigozhin managed to maintain influence over the group. According to the Wall Street Journal, this was facilitated by the country's President Faustin Archange Touadéra, who asked the Kremlin not to replace the Wagner mercenaries with Russian troops. According to the publication, Touadéra has integrated the group's fighters into the local police, army, and intelligence structures. Currently, there are approximately 500 mercenaries in the capital, Bangui. They guard the president and participate in battles against rebel forces. Gold mining remains one of the main sources of income. According to investigators, Prigozhin's companies control the largest gold mine in the Central African Republic, which generates approximately $250 million annually. Journalists also discovered that gold had been shipped from the country to Belarus over the past three months. According to the publication sources, local authorities helped organize the export, indicating in documents that the metal belonged to the state. As the Wall Street Journal reports, in April 2024, Pavel Prigozhin met with government officials in Bangui to discuss gold shipments abroad, circumventing international controls. According to the journalist's sources, the country's minister of mines, Rufin Behnam Bétangue, participated in the negotiations. Researchers from the Global Initiative to Combat Transnational Organized Crime estimate the Prigozhin family's combined annual income at more than $400 million. The activities of Wagner-linked entities are not limited to gold mining. According to the Wall Street Journal, they also supply weapons to armed groups in Sudan and Libya. Another area is the market for tramadol, an opioid painkiller. According to journalists, Prigozhin's companies control a significant portion of its sales in the Central African Republic. The country also produces alcoholic beverages, including vodka and beer. The business also includes local radio stations that broadcast pro-Russian messages, criticize Western countries, and support President Touadéra. Researchers note that the group's economic interests are closely linked to its military presence in the country. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pavel Prigozhin lives in St. Petersburg but regularly travels to Bongi. During his visits, he stays at the Ledger Plaza Hotel, which has become the de facto headquarters of Wagner Group in the CAR. The hotel grounds are guarded by armed personnel. Even high-ranking government officials undergo security checks before meeting with Prigozhin. After his father's death, Pavel inherited his estate, which was valued at approximately 12 billion rubles at the time. According to his will, he also had to provide for the widow, two daughters, and mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Experts interviewed by the Wall Street Journal suggest that an agreement with the Kremlin may have helped Pavel maintain his position in the Central African Republic. However, the article provides no public confirmation of such an agreement.