This audio is created with AI assistanceRussian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev allegedly ordered the assassination of the late head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) wrote on Dec. 22, citing Western intelligence and a former Russian intelligence officer. Prigozhin's Wagner Group became a crucial part of the Russian war machine after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sources told the WSJ that Patrushev, one of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's closest confidants, had long seen Prigozhin as a threat, even before the rebellion. Patrushev reportedly did not approve of Prigozhin's open criticism of top Russian military brass and was concerned that Wagner had gained too much power. Neither Patrushev nor Russian officials responded to requests for comment on the story, the WSJ said.

Source: Wall Street Journal December 22, 2023 09:44 UTC