Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led an unsuccessful uprising against the Russian government exactly two months ago, was reportedly among the passengers on a plane that crashed on Wednesday. Russian officials are now grappling with the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The crash occurred northwest of Moscow, resulting in the deaths of all passengers on board, including Prigozhin. He was the leader of the Wagner Group, a mercenary organization known for its brutal tactics and successes in the Ukraine conflict.
Here is the current information available:
What Happened? The aircraft, a private Embraer jet, was carrying seven passengers and three crew members. It took off from Moscow and was en route to St. Petersburg when it crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region. The plane reached an altitude of around 28,000 feet before losing contact suddenly. All eight bodies have been located at the crash site. The plane's wreckage was scattered over a 2 km area, with the majority landing near agricultural facilities.
Prigozhin's Involvement: Prigozhin and other Wagner leaders were listed as passengers by Russia's aviation agency. A Telegram channel linked to the Wagner Group claimed that Prigozhin had been killed, though this has not been independently confirmed. The registration number visible on the plane's engine debris, 2795, corresponds to Prigozhin's own plane, registered as RA-02795.
Potential Causes: The cause of the crash remains uncertain. Investigations are ongoing. Experts speculate that the crash could be due to an explosion either within the aircraft or as a result of external factors, such as a missile strike.
Timing and Payback: The crash occurred exactly two months after Prigozhin's attempted uprising against the Russian military. He had captured key military sites before a resolution was reached, resulting in Prigozhin and his forces being sent to Belarus. This event marked a significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority. Some analysts believe Prigozhin's involvement in the crash could be linked to payback for his rebellion.
Public Reaction: Prigozhin and the Wagner Group have supporters in Russia, but they are likely to face a different reaction in Ukraine. Wagner forces played a role in the conflict there, often at the cost of deploying mercenaries into dangerous situations. Prigozhin's death might not be mourned by Ukrainian soldiers and citizens who were affected by Wagner's actions.
The details surrounding the crash and Prigozhin's death continue to unfold, leaving many questions unanswered.