Downfall: Prigozhin, Putin, and the New Fight for the Future of Russia

Yevgeny Prigozhin emerged as one of the most dangerous warlords in the world and as one of Vladimir Putin’s chief rivals in Russia’s tumultuous political climate, exiled after leading Wagner’s attempted coup and killed in a mysterious plane crash. But what is the truth about this enigmatic figure, his role in the war with Ukraine, and the chaos unleashed across Russia by his turn against Putin? And, in the aftermath of his death, what is next for Russia in the new stage of late Putinism that Prigozhin’s life forged?

Drawing on years of research, this book traces the rise of Russia’s most prominent non-state actor and examines the political climate that propelled a convicted gangster with no government office to the formidable role he came to occupy. An essential story of Russia’s recent history, Downfall is also a compelling insight into its likely future.

Simon Alexander Ong is an award-winning personal development entrepreneur and coach. His work has seen him invited onto Sky News, BBC Radio London and LBC Radio and he has been featured in HuffPost, Forbes, Virgin and the Guardian. Simon regularly keynotes for companies and conferences, including those organized by Google, the London School of Economics and the World Business & Executive Coach Summit. He holds qualifications from The Coaching Academy and has also completed a series of courses in neuro-linguistic programming. Simon is of Chinese origin and is based in London with his wife, Laurie, and daughter, Sienna.