The Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed on August 27, 2023, that Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, died in a plane crash outside Moscow. This announcement puts an end to days of speculation about Prigozhin’s fate. Using DNA testing, the committee confirmed the identities of all 10 victims of the crash, including Prigozhin. The plane crash, which occurred in the Tver region of western Russia, involved an Embraer business jet with Prigozhin and two of his close associates, Valeriy Chekalov and Dmitry Utkin, listed as passengers.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that he had warned Prigozhin about his safety on two occasions, offering him full security in Belarus. However, Prigozhin did not take up the offer. Lukashenko said he could have ensured Prigozhin’s safety by speaking with Russian President Putin.
Aviation experts have stated that the plane crash cannot be attributed to a simple mechanical problem or human error. Early assessments from U.S. officials suggested the possibility of an onboard explosion. President Biden has commented that the United States is working to determine the cause of the crash but cannot provide further details at this time.
In another incident, three Ukrainian pilots were killed in a midair collision during a combat mission. The Ukrainian air force reported that two L-39 combat training aircraft collided near Zhytomyr. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences and stated that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.
Ukrainian officials claimed to have thwarted an attempted Russian attack on Ukraine’s capital. According to the civil-military administration of Kyiv, cruise missiles fired in the Caspian Sea area and moving towards Kyiv were destroyed by air defenses, causing no damage or injuries. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has stated that all intended targets were struck in an overnight strike against an airfield in the Kyiv region.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of targeting two border regions with drones. The ministry claims that air defenses shot down two drones over the Bryansk and Kursk regions.
There have also been confrontations between Ukrainian and Russian sea and air forces in the Black Sea. The British Defense Ministry has reported skirmishes, including a Russian combat jet allegedly shooting at a Ukrainian military small boat near a platform in the north-west of the sea. These platforms command valuable hydrocarbon resources and can also serve as forward deployment bases.
In Ukraine, four more military officers have been detained as part of a crackdown on corruption. They are accused of helping people evade the draft in exchange for money.
Ukraine has been negotiating with the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for security guarantees from the Western powers. President Zelensky has expressed gratitude for these negotiations, as they will provide Ukraine with more opportunities.
Journalist Evan Gershkovich has appealed a Moscow court’s decision to extend his detention on espionage charges. The U.S. government and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, have called these charges baseless.
The death of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, despite his popularity among some Russians and military activists, poses a challenge for President Putin, who is currently facing divisions within the elite and military. Dmitry Kolezev, a Russian analyst and independent journalist, believes that Prigozhin’s death serves as a signal to the elites and highlights his weakness. However, there remains a cult of Prigozhin among Wagner PMC supporters and veterans.
Contributors to this report include Mary Ilyushina, Robyn Dixon, Francesca Ebel, and Natalia Abbakumova.
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