The comments were in response to a question about accusations of Russian interference in Tuesday’s midterm elections in the United States, a closely watched election in Moscow amid the crisis that has confronted Washington since the start of its offensive in Ukraine.
Prigozhin, who is subject to US and EU sanctions, has been accused for several years of meddling in US elections, including the 2016 presidential election.
Specifically, he is accused of having created a “troll farm”, false profiles that operate on social networks to try to influence voters, for example by denigrating candidates or transmitting false information.
The once low-key businessman is increasingly becoming a public figure in Russia, making appearances in support of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
In late September, Prigozhin admitted to having founded the Wagner paramilitary group in 2014 to fight in Ukraine, admitting its presence in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
This paramilitary group has been suspected for years of carrying out the Kremlin’s dirty work in various theaters of operations, something that Moscow and Mr. Prigozhin have always denied.
Reputedly close to Vladimir Putin, Mr. Prigozhin was once a purveyor to the Kremlin kitchens, earning him the nickname “Putin’s cook.”
