Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, was involved in a plane crash that took place north of Moscow, resulting in the death of all 10 individuals on board. This incident has sparked suspicion due to the ongoing speculation surrounding Prigozhin’s fate after his participation in a brief rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year.
President Vladimir Putin vehemently condemned the mutiny as an act of treason and vowed to seek retribution. However, the charges against Prigozhin were later dropped, and he was allowed to retreat to Belarus. Despite periodically surfacing in Russia, his whereabouts have remained a subject of interest.
The timing of the crash coincides with reports of a top general connected to Prigozhin being dismissed from his position as commander of the air force. The plane carrying three pilots and seven passengers was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it crashed approximately 300 kilometers north of the capital.
Confirmation of Prigozhin’s presence on the plane came from various sources, including Russian officials and Wagner commanders. However, experts caution against readily accepting reports of his death, citing his history of using aliases to conceal his movements.
Flight tracking data showed that a private jet frequently used by Prigozhin took off from Moscow before disappearing from the radar shortly after. The images of the wreckage align with the partial tail number of the aforementioned jet, indicating its possible involvement in the crash.
Videos shared on social media depicted the plane plummeting from the sky, accompanied by a large cloud of smoke. Frame-by-frame analysis suggests the occurrence of an explosion mid-flight, possibly resulting in the loss of a wing.
An investigation into the crash has been initiated, focusing on potential violations of air safety rules. However, even if Prigozhin’s death is confirmed, it is unlikely to impact Russia’s war in Ukraine, as his forces have already withdrawn from active combat.
Prigozhin recently released a recruitment video for the Wagner Group, emphasizing their reconnaissance and search activities and their mission to expand Russia’s influence globally, including in Africa.
In addition to the crash incident, reports emerged this week suggesting that Gen. Sergei Surovikin, formerly in command of Russia’s air force, has been dismissed. Surovikin played a significant role in Russia’s operations in Ukraine and has not been seen publicly since the mutiny.
As news of the crash emerged, President Putin paid tribute to the heroes of Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine during an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk.
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