Late Wagner chief Prigozhin's new video goes viral, speaks of threats to his life days before death

A newly released video of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin purports to show him in Africa only days before his death, addressing speculation about his wellbeing and possible threats to his security. “For those who are discussing whether I’m alive or not, how I’m doing - right now it’s the weekend, second half of August 2023, I’m in Africa,” Prigozhin says in the short video published by the Grey Zone Telegram channel which is linked to his Wagner Group. “So for people who like to discuss wiping me out, or my private life, how much I earn or whatever else - everything’s ok,” he adds with a wave of his hand.

⚡️A video of Prigozhin dated to August 19-20.

It was filmed in Africa, presumably on his way back to Russia. pic.twitter.com/sgJrdKLs3E

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) August 30, 2023

Firstpost cannot confirm the authenticity of this video. His “weekend” reference implied the latest clip must have been made on 19 or 20 August, only three or four days before he and other top Wagner figures and bodyguards were killed in a plane crash north of Moscow on 23 August. His comments in the video reflected Prigozhin’s awareness of risks to his life. His Wagner force fought for Russia in the Ukraine war but he was fiercely critical of the defence establishment and led a brief mutiny in late June. The Kremlin has rejected as an “absolute lie” the suggestion that President Vladimir Putin had Prigozhin killed in revenge, but has said the investigation into the crash is examining the possibility of foul play. Prigozhin was buried at the Porokhovskoye cemetery in his home town of St Petersburg on Tuesday.