Vladmir Putin's 'chef' has admitted to interfering in US elections - and promised to keep meddling for years to come.
Ahead of the midterm elections tomorrow, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, 61, has confirmed for the first time he's been involved in Russia's interference - despite previously denying the accusations.
Mr Prigozhin, who funded Russian troll farms, revealed on social media: “We have interfered, are interfering and will continue to interfere. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way.”
His admission came from the press service of his catering company which has earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef.”
The businessman, who has close ties with President Putin, has made two huge confessions in recent months.
Previously, Mr Prigozhin has denied any involvement in meddling with US elections but has now admitted to interfering.
He stated in September that he was involved in the Wagner Group mercenary force, despite denying it, and has since talked freely about their involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine.
His military group have previously recruited and sent its forces to Syria and sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition, a man resembling Mr Prigozhin was caught on video visiting Russian exiled prisoners to try and recruit for their fight in Ukraine.
Mr Prigozhin and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged in the US in 2018 with operating a social media campaign aimed at causing trouble and dividing American public opinion ahead of the 2016 presidential election won by Republican Donald Trump.
In Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference, they were indicted as part of his special counsel.
And in 2020, the Justice Department tried to dismiss charges against two of the indicted firms, Concord Management and Consulting LLC and Concord Catering.
They had argued that a trial against a corporate defendant with no presence in the U.S. and no prospect of meaningful punishment even if convicted would likely expose sensitive law enforcement tools and techniques.
Back in July, the state Department offered a reward of up to $10 million (£8.8m) for information about Russian interference in U.S. elections.
This included information on Mr Prigozhin and the Internet Research Agency, the troll farm in St. Petersburg that his companies were accused of funding.
Mr Prigozhin had denied involvement in election interference until now.
Russian media, prisoner’s rights groups and relatives of prisoners this year reported an extensive effort by Wagner and sometimes Mr Prigozhin personally to recruit convicts to fight in Ukraine.
Although not directly conforming it, he said in one statement that “either (the Wagner private military company) and convicts, or your children” will be fighting on the front lines.
