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Since the failed insurrection, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a once popular figure among Russians, has been facing a relentless wave of criticism. This week Putin’s forces raid on the disgraced Wagner boss’s palace was leaked to Russian media.

 Russian state media, which once praised him and his fighters for their brutal campaign in Ukraine, has now turned against him, accusing him of betraying President Putin. As a result, news about Prigozhin and his Wagner Group's predicament has been conspicuously absent from their broadcasts.

For months, Prigozhin had launched a social media campaign against the traditional Russian military and Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 

Then the mercenary commander ordered his troops to march on Moscow, only to reverse course hours later after Putin promised severe consequences for the Wagner Group.

 In response, the Kremlin exiled Prigozhin to neighboring Belarus and vowed not to prosecute him. This uprising represents the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.

Putin’s forces raid leaked details

This week, Russian security services conducted raids on the estate and offices of exiled Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Videos of the raid captured officers armed with assault rifles conducting thorough searches throughout the premises. And photos were released of the luxurious lifestyle Prigozhin had been leading. 

The images exposed his private swimming pool, helipad, sauna, gym, and even a medical office. Additionally, the house featured its own private prayer room adorned with religious imagery. 

 The raids uncovered a series of disguises worn by the billionaire, allegedly during his covert activities in Africa and the Middle East in furtherance of Putin's interests and the deployment of Wagner forces. While the Wagner Group officially operates as a private company, several individuals involved in its founding are linked to the GRU.

Among the disguises discovered, one showed Prigozhin posing as an employee of the Sudanese Ministry of Defense. And another depicted him as an assistant diplomat from Abu Dhabi. Additional disguises featured him as various military figures from Libya. 

During the raids, law enforcement officers seized various items, including a giant sledgehammer labeled "For use in important negotiations." And boxes containing Russian banknotes worth around £86 million ($109 million). 

Leaked photographs taken inside Prigozhin's opulent estate showcased his valuable possessions, including a Russian military uniform adorned with approximately two dozen medals.

Whereabouts unknown

It was initially reported that the money and equipment had been returned to the office and the Wagner Center. But that is impossible to confirm.

The raids also revealed several passports, which were photographed as evidence. 

In a short audio message posted to the Wagner-affiliated Greyzone Telegram channel, Prigozhin stated, "Our march of justice aimed at fighting traitors and mobilizing society has been successful in many aspects. Soon, you will witness our next victories at the front."

 Prigozhin is not disclosing his current whereabouts in the message. And the fact that it was an audio recording marked a departure from the previous video messages he had used to address his forces before their failed mutiny attempt on June 24.

Anton Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian official, commented on the leaked photographs, saying, "These are not shots from a casting for a role in a cheap comedy, but a selfie of Prigozhin. The pictures were published by the Russian security forces. 

In most of the pictures, yesterday's 'Hero of Russia' is in Libyan uniform with Libyan epaulets and elements of conspiracy." Gerashchenko suggested that the leak was aimed to discredit Prigozhin.

 The fallen hero was once lauded for eliminating adversaries through violence and torture. He is now being vilified for the armed revolt targeting Putin's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu.

This uprising represents the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.