The relationship between Russian tycoon Prigozhin and his longtime ally, Putin, appears to have soured after the founder of the Wagner mercenary group repeatedly expressed concern and criticism about the war in Ukraine, according to Western media.

Prigozhin, who was known by the nickname “Putin’s Chef” due to his catering contracts with the Kremlin, had been sending the so-called Wagner “musicians” in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, where fierce fighting took place.

But the businessman’s relationship with the Kremlin was thought to have changed when he voiced his political ambitions, publicly attacking Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and joint forces commander Valery Gerasimov.

Prigogine yesterday released his first video address since the brief uprising at the end of June, appearing in a video possibly shot in Africa, which he posted on the Telegram channel linked to the Wagner group.