Nicknamed 'Putin’s chef', rebel Wagner chief was a close aide of Russian President for 30 years

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman and chief of mercenary group Wagner, was a close confidant of Vladimir Putin for nearly 30 years.

Initially denying any connection to Wagner, he later confirmed founding the mercenary group in 2014.

Prigozhin first met Putin in the early 1990s, according to the Associated Press, allowing Prigozhin who earned the nickname 'Putin’s chef' to develop a successful catering business that earned contracts with the Kremlin and Russian military once Putin became president.

Prigozhin admitted to orchestrating Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. elections.

Tensions between Prigozhin and Russian officials have escalated recently, with disagreements over the recognition of Wagner's accomplishments by the Russian Defense Ministry.