Prigozhin's Political Power Play in Russia Intensifies.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has directly responded to criticism from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the financier of the Wagner Group, marking the first time a Russian institution has addressed the businessman's attacks. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that the MFA's direct response "is a continuation of the Kremlin's efforts to discredit and undermine Prigozhin" as the Wagner leader seeks ways to grow his influence in Moscow. The ISW has previously assessed that Prigozhin may be looking to challenge Putin in the 2024 presidential elections.