Yevgeny Prigozhin, the prominent Russian mercenary leader, is believed to have died in a plane crash, sparking speculation that this was an act of retaliation by the Kremlin following a recent uprising against President Vladimir Putin.
Prigozhin, who established the Wagner military group, and six other individuals were onboard a private aircraft that crashed shortly after departing from Moscow, the Russian civil aviation authority reported. Of the 10 bodies discovered at the crash site, many believe one is Prigozhin’s, although official verification is pending.
This incident, if confirmed, marks the most significant setback to Wagner’s top brass. Among those listed on the flight’s roster were Prigozhin’s right-hand man, known by his alias, Wagner’s logistical head, a soldier injured in US-led airstrikes in Syria, and potentially a bodyguard.
The reason for such a high concentration of Wagner’s leadership aboard one flight remains a mystery, as does their planned visit to St. Petersburg.
In total, the flight carried six of Prigozhin’s deputies along with a crew of three.
A large cross-shaped light display illuminated Wagner’s St. Petersburg headquarters, while supporters placed flowers, company flags, and candles in a makeshift memorial outside the building.
While the crash became the center of many discussions, Putin did not comment on it during his appearance at the BRICS summit. Russian mainstream media gave it little attention, focusing more on the summit and the ongoing Ukrainian invasion.
Local authorities isolated the crash site in Kuzhenkino for investigations, situated around 185 miles northwest of Moscow. The bodies were transported away.
Some social media channels in Russia suggest that the bodies were too charred or disfigured to identify without DNA testing. These claims have yet to be independently verified.
Supporters of Prigozhin have put forth theories that the plane’s crash was no accident. They suggest potential missile strikes or onboard explosives as causes, although these allegations remain unconfirmed.
Sergei Mironov, a leading figure in Russia’s pro-Kremlin party, insinuated on social media that Prigozhin’s numerous adversaries might have played a role in his presumed death.
Witnesses, like Kuzhenkino local Anastasia Bukharova, described the harrowing sight of the plane exploding mid-air and its descent towards the ground.
There has been a noticeable pattern of Putin’s critics facing mysterious deaths or ailments. Many international observers quickly turned their suspicions towards the Kremlin, especially given Prigozhin’s recent defiance.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “It is no coincidence…in Putin’s Russia — deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added, “We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does.”
Flight data indicates that a plane previously associated with Prigozhin took off from Moscow, losing its transponder signal soon after. Videos from a pro-Wagner Telegram channel depict the plane plummeting, suggesting potential in-flight explosions.
Prigozhin’s alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and his unprecedented dissent against Putin’s strategies had already made him a controversial figure. The plane crash, whether accident or design, comes amidst these tensions.
The Institute for the Study of War sees this event as a possible move by Russian officials to dissolve Wagner as an autonomous entity.
Former Putin speechwriter, Abbas Gallyamov, expressed that Putin had to intervene, given Prigozhin’s overt defiance. He believes that failing to act against Prigozhin would encourage other potential rebels.
Regardless of Prigozhin’s fate, his group’s influence in the Ukrainian war has receded, as after their last major operation, officials stated that they could only rejoin as part of the regular army.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the plane crash have heightened tensions both within Russia and on the international stage. As investigations continue, the world will be closely watching for answers. Whether an accident or a premeditated act, the event has further underscored the intricate and perilous nature of Russian politics and its implications for global security.
