Criminal investigation

Oligarch who organized notorious 'troll factory' was behind attack by Russian mercenaries on U.S. troops in Syria

The Russian known as 'Putin's chef' indicted for meddling in the presidential election is accused of being behind the Russian mercenaries who staged an attack on U.S. forces in Syria this month.

The Washington Post reported that the Russian oligarch Yevgeniy Prigozhin was in communication with a high level Russian official in advance in the attack – which resulted in a rout against the Russian mercenaries but nevertheless placed U.S. and allied forces in harm's way.

Prigozhin was caught on an intercepted communication saying he had 'secured permission' from a senior Russian minister to go ahead with a 'fast and strong' initiative in early February.

Prigozhin got indicted last week, as deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein announced charges against 13 Russians. He is alleged to be the director of a Russian 'troll farm' that interfered in the U.S. elections.

U.S. intelligence believes he 'almost certainly' controls the Russian mercenaries in Syria, according to the Post.