In Photos: Wagner Memorials Appear on Mutiny's First Anniversary
On June 23, 2023, Prigozhin launched a shocking, short-lived mutiny against the Russian military leadership, whom he accused of incompetence in the war in Ukraine. He would die in a plane crash just two months later.
Prigozhin, who was long known as "Putin's chef," underwent a significant transformation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as his Wagner mercenary group took a leading role on the front line.
He made headlines with his frequent criticisms of the Defense Ministry and pioneered the practice of recruiting prisoners to fight for Russia — and despite his and Wagner’s reputation for atrocities in war zones, he was supported by many Russians.
Despite the Kremlin's fury over the mutiny, memorials dedicated to him and his military company continue to draw visitors and the attention of passersby.
Here's a look at makeshift memorials in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Friday:
Prigozhin, who was long known as "Putin's chef," underwent a significant transformation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as his Wagner mercenary group took a leading role on the front line.
He made headlines with his frequent criticisms of the Defense Ministry and pioneered the practice of recruiting prisoners to fight for Russia — and despite his and Wagner’s reputation for atrocities in war zones, he was supported by many Russians.
Despite the Kremlin's fury over the mutiny, memorials dedicated to him and his military company continue to draw visitors and the attention of passersby.
Here's a look at makeshift memorials in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Friday:
A boy walks past an improvised memorial dedicated to the Wagner mercenary group on Varvarka Ulitsa, central Moscow. The memorial, which opened in August 2023, consists of portraits of killed Wagner soldiers and different flags used by Russian soldiers.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
A child points at a portrait in the makeshift memorial with one hand while holding her caretaker's hand with the other.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
The Moscow Wagner memorial features volunteers who worked for or alongside the company, as well as individuals connected with the Russian pro-war camp. The memorial includes medics, journalists and soldiers. Among the images, one soldier is seen posing with a Nazi salute, and another displays a Kolovrat patch. To the right hangs a photo of Daria Dugina, the daughter of far-right ideologue Alexander Dugin. Dugina was killed in a car bombing in August 2022.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
A woman and a girl overlook the portraits at the improvised Wagner memorial in Moscow.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
A man walks past an improvised memorial for Wagner in central Moscow.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
Flowers were laid at the statue of Yevgeny Prigozhin at his grave in Porokhovskoye Cemetery in St. Petersburg. To the left, a plaque quotes Yuri Volk: "Sadly, [he] didn't manage to do more."
Olga Maltseva / AFP
A man dressed in military clothing lays flowers at the feet of Prigozhin's statue at his gravesite in St. Petersburg. The monument was unveiled on June 1, what would have been Prigozhin's 63rd birthday.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
A man looks at Prigozhin's photos at the makeshift memorial located at Wagner's headquarters in St. Peterburg. Next to the memorial lay Wagner flags and the Gonfalon flag, featuring the image of Jesus Christ.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
An improvised memorial consisting of grave wreaths, portraits of Prigozhin and other Wagner associates lay amid flower wreaths bearing the company's logo.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
Two people walk past a makeshift memorial to Prigozhin at the cafe he owned in St. Petersburg. The cafe was the site of a bombing that killed Vladlen Tatarsky, a military blogger and Prigozhin's ally, in April 2023.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
