Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1488818
keeps the power structure in one piece, and as a baseline foundation for the architecture of that system. And Russia is just like that. The Mafia State's modus operandi means that any formal organs or entities are merely a facade. A parallel system is established instead, where an entirely separate group of people, formally not tied to the power structure, without any entitlement, runs the economy, politics, information policy, or even the war efforts. The financial system in states as such also exists in parallel to its official counterpart, with a huge gray market established in between. The emergence of that gray market is not chaotic, but agreed upon with the mafia, managing the state in an organized manner. Corruption is no longer a problem, it forms the core of all relationships in such a system. The illegal cash flow creates a separate, parallel financial network, with an illegal budget used to finance the illegal acts of the authorities - rigged elections, and persecution of the opposition. In the case of a nation that wants to be an aggressive empire, this also includes corruption activities targeting foreign politicians, information sabotage, hybrid warfare, and the establishment of illegal armies, tasked with illegal activities abroad. This is where the Wagner Group becomes relevant. Prigozhin Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group empire, used to be an ambitious, profit-driven, and ordinary businessman, with a criminal past, in 1990s Russia. He had relevant connections that let him quickly establish corruption-based relationships with the authorities, and earn money based on that. More importantly, he was trusted by the man residing at the Kremlin. His elite restaurants in Moscow or St. Petersburg were frequently used as a venue for top-level meet-ups. Russian politicians and foreign heads of state were often invited. Yevgeny Prigozhin has become a perfect candidate to become a part of this mafia structure in Russia. He was much more than just a well-connected entrepreneur. He was serving the state, namely the head of it, with a specific function being assigned to him. Back in the 17th Century, the Russian adjective "sluzhivy" would have been used to describe him. In return, he gets some areas of the state property - a hand that feeds. Corruption indeed acts as the binder here, allowing persons like Prigozhin to function in a state that remains under the complete control of the authorities, and the intelligence services. Already being a criminal, with a long list of crimes associated with your name, should you attempt to leave the system, or inflict damage to it, the authorities always would have a way to eliminate you, rightly accusing you of your crimes So, how does the Prighozin's operation work? It is formed by numerous businesses, with subordinated businesses. These businesses circulate funds through leasing activities, and by granting loans. Russia, imitating a civilized state, has introduced tools in the public sector, such as tendering procedures, a long time ago. In the Russian context, when the MoD announces tendering processes regarding food supplies, it often turns out that only Prigozhin's businesses ANALYSIS