# Dmitry Utkin

> Russian military officer, founder of Wagner Group (1970–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q45666735](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45666735)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Utkin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dmitry-utkin

## Summary
Dmitry Utkin was a Russian military officer and the founder of the Wagner Group, a private military company active from 2014 until his death in 2023. He played a significant role in Russia's military interventions, including conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Chechnya.

## Biography
- Born: June 11, 1970
- Nationality: Russian
- Education: Unknown (not specified in source material)
- Known for: Founding the Wagner Group, a private military company with ties to Russian military operations
- Employer(s): Wagner Group (founder and leader)
- Field(s): Military operations, private security, mercenary services

## Contributions
- Founded the Wagner Group in 2014, which became a key player in Russia's military interventions, including the Syrian Civil War and the Russo-Ukrainian War.
- Led the Wagner Group in operations such as the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Russian military intervention in Syria, and the Russo-Ukrainian War.
- Played a role in the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion, which led to his death.

## FAQs
**What was the Wagner Group, and who founded it?**
The Wagner Group was a private military company founded by Dmitry Utkin in 2014. It became a key player in Russia's military interventions, including conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

**Where did Dmitry Utkin work before founding the Wagner Group?**
There is no information in the source material about Dmitry Utkin's work before founding the Wagner Group.

**What conflicts was the Wagner Group involved in?**
The Wagner Group was involved in the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Russian military intervention in Syria, and the Russo-Ukrainian War.

**What was the Wagner Group rebellion, and how did it relate to Dmitry Utkin?**
The Wagner Group rebellion was a 2023 uprising led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, which resulted in the deaths of both Prigozhin and Utkin.

## Why They Matter
Dmitry Utkin's role in founding and leading the Wagner Group had significant implications for Russia's military strategy and global geopolitics. The Wagner Group's involvement in conflicts such as the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Syrian Civil War amplified Russia's influence in those regions. Utkin's death in the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion marked a turning point in Russia's private military sector and its broader military operations.

## Notable For
- Founder of the Wagner Group, a major player in Russia's military interventions
- Involvement in the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Syrian Civil War, and the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Death in the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion, which had significant geopolitical consequences
- Order of Courage and Hero of the Russian Federation recipient

## Body
### Early Life and Military Career
Dmitry Utkin was born on June 11, 1970. He served in the Russian military and later became a key figure in the Wagner Group, a private military company. Utkin's military background and leadership skills were instrumental in the Wagner Group's growth and operations.

### Founding the Wagner Group
Utkin founded the Wagner Group in 2014, which quickly became a significant player in Russia's military interventions. The group was involved in conflicts such as the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Russian military intervention in Syria, and the Russo-Ukrainian War.

### Military Operations and Influence
The Wagner Group, under Utkin's leadership, played a crucial role in Russia's military operations. The group's involvement in the Syrian Civil War and the Russo-Ukrainian War had significant geopolitical implications, amplifying Russia's influence in those regions.

### Death and Legacy
Dmitry Utkin died on August 23, 2023, in the Wagner Group rebellion. His death marked a turning point in Russia's private military sector and had broader implications for the country's military strategy and global geopolitics. Utkin's legacy continues to influence Russia's military interventions and private security operations.

### Awards and Recognition
Utkin received the Order of Courage and the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for his military service and leadership. These awards reflect his contributions to Russia's military and security efforts.

## References

1. [Along the sanctioned persons: UTKIN,  Dmitry Valerievich](https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/en/sanction-person/174/)
2. [L'autre disparu: Dmitri Outkine, le fan du IIIe Reich qui a donné son surnom à «Wagner», donné mort avec Prigojine. Libération. 2023](https://www.liberation.fr/international/europe/russie-dmitri-outkine-alias-wagner-sort-du-bois-20230719_27RGD7BOUZD2BPPLGRTANJPXIE/)
3. [Source](https://meduza.io/news/2023/08/31/komandir-chvk-vagnera-dmitriy-utkin-on-zhe-vagner-pohoronen-na-memorialnom-kladbische-v-mytischah)
4. [Russia officially confirms Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in plane crash. PBS. 2023](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russia-officially-confirms-wagner-leader-yevgeny-prigozhin-died-in-plane-crash)
5. [Mit Prigoschin im Flugzeug: Wohl auch Wagner-Gründer Dmitri Utkin gestorben. Frankfurter Rundschau. 2023](https://www.fr.de/politik/prigoschin-flugzeug-absturz-russland-wagner-gruender-dimitri-uktin-an-board-wohl-gestorben-wagner-92478018.html)
6. [Wagner Group chief among passengers on crashed plane near Moscow. The Jerusalem Post. 2023](https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-755928)
7. [Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin presumed dead after Russia plane crash. BBC Online. 2023](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66599733)
8. [Source](https://www.francetelevisions.fr/et-vous/notre-tele/a-ne-pas-manquer/une-enquete-rare-qui-eclaire-wagner-larmee-de-lombre-de-poutine-10273)
9. [Source](https://www.bfmtv.com/international/asie/russie/guerre-en-ukraine-qui-est-dmitri-outkine-l-un-des-fondateurs-du-groupe-wagner_AN-202203290431.html)
10. [Source](https://www.proekt.media/portrait/evgeniy-prigozhin/)