The Economist explains

Why the boss of Wagner Group is feuding with Russia’s military leaders 

Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of a Russian mercenary force, is losing influence 

TOPSHOT - This handout video grab taken from a footage posted on April 6, 2023 on the Telegram account of the press-service of Concord -- a company linked to the chief of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin -- shows Yevgeny Prigozhin at a cemetery for fallen PMC Wagner fighters in the settlement of Goryachiy Klyuch in the southern Russian Krasnodar region. - Wagner mercenaries are believed to be heavily involved in the fight for the industrial city of Bakhmut that has become the longest and bloodiest battle of Russia's year-long assault on Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / TELEGRAM/ @concordgroup_official / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /  Telegram channel of Concord group" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/TELEGRAM/ @concordgroup_official/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

Editor’s note: On June 23rd Mr Prigozhin launched an open revolt against the Kremlin, accusing the Russian army of killing Wagner troops. His mercenaries seized Rostov-on-Don, a southern city.

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From the May 13th 2023 edition

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