Budanov Reveals Contacts with Prigozhin Before Wagner Mutiny
Ukrainian President's Office head Kirill Budanov revealed in a New York Times interview that he regularly communicated with Russian businessman and Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin during his time leading Ukraine's military intelligence (GUR), with contacts ending shortly before Wagner's 2023 mutiny. Prigozhin died in a plane crash in August 2023.
Consensus
- Kirill Budanov, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, stated in a New York Times interview that he had regular contact with Yevgeny Prigozhin.
- Budanov served as head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) at the time of the contacts.
- The contacts with Prigozhin ended shortly before the Wagner Group mutiny in 2023.
- Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash on August 23, 2023, in Tver Oblast.
- Prigozhin's death occurred two months after the Wagner mutiny.
- Budanov did not disclose further details about the nature of the communications.
- The existence of these contacts was previously unknown to the public.
- Budanov has been involved in peace negotiations and is a key figure in Ukraine's diplomatic efforts.
- Budanov assumed leadership of Ukraine's Presidential Office on January 2, 2026.
Points of divergence
- A memorial complex in memory of Wagner fighters, including a monument to Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, was opened at the Alexandrovskoye Cemetery in Irkutsk in winter 2025. — vm
- In 2023, sources from The Washington Post reported that Prigozhin offered to provide information on Russian troop locations in exchange for Ukrainian withdrawal from Bakhmut. — meduza
- Prigozhin mocked the Washington Post report by saying, 'Of course, I can confirm this. We’re still in Africa with Budanov.' — tg_agentstvonews
- Budanov previously denied rumors about contacts with Prigozhin after the Wagner mutiny. — tg_agentstvonews
- Budanov participated in negotiations to end the war with Russia. — meduza
- Budanov believes peace conditions are unlikely to be met before spring 2027. — tg_agentstvonews
- A military correspondent claimed a general behaved unusually during the Wagner mutiny, offering tea to special forces guarding a key command post. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- Kyryll Budanov* said he regularly communicated with Yevheniy Prygozhyn — Вечерняя Москва
- Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov said he regularly communicated with Yevgeny Prigozhin — Meduza
- Budanov spoke about regular talks with Prigozhin — Агентство. Новости
Key entities
- Budanova
- Prigozhin
- Ukraine
- Wagner Group
- The New York Times
- GUR
- Wagner Group
- Presidential Office
- Ministries of Defense
- Ministry of Defense
- Main Intelligence Directorate
- Wagner Group
More on Budanova
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- Ukraine Faces Massive Losses, Reports Say
- Ukraine Announces Upcoming Technical Talks with Russia