The plane crash in Russia unveiled a list of passengers that reads like the elite of the Wagner mercenary group, spotlighting its deputy leader known by his alias, the head of logistics, a fighter injured in American airstrikes in Syria, and a potential personal bodyguard.
Furthermore, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the main figure behind Wagner and known for his rebellion against the Russian military in June, was also on board.
Adding to the total were six close associates of Prigozhin, in addition to the plane’s crew of three. This collective travel of key figures accused by the Kremlin of betrayal seems to be a significant security oversight. The exact reason for their journey remains unclear.
“Having so many high-ranking individuals on one aircraft was a lapse in judgment. Leading members should always travel separately,” comments Lou Osborn, who is writing a book about these mercenaries. “Prigozhin may have been lured into a false sense of safety, possibly thinking he had been forgiven.”
DMITRY UTKIN
Although Utkin was once considered the founder of Wagner, current insights suggest that this was just a diversion from Prigozhin, who has only recently confessed to his paramount role in the group.
Utkin, previously in special forces, a veteran of Russia’s conflicts in Chechnya, and associated with the GRU military intelligence, was known for leadership and battle training, as research by the Dossier Center and Bellingcat has shown.
Photos of Utkin hint at Nazi-inspired tattoos and he reportedly had a penchant for Nazi emblems. His pseudonym, Wagner, seemingly refers to the German musician Richard Wagner, rumoured to be a favourite of Hitler, which subsequently became the name of the group.
Footage from a 2016 Kremlin event revealed Utkin’s association with President Vladimir Putin, contradicting previous claims that the organization had no governmental affiliations.
VALERY CHEKALOV
Chekalov, the logistics genius behind Wagner, had ties with another Prigozhin establishment, Concord Holding. As per Osborn, who is affiliated with the project All Eyes on Wagner, Chekalov was responsible for managing mercenaries, weapons procurement, and supervising the resource businesses in Syria and Africa.
The U.S. blacklisted Chekalov due to his association with Prigozhin. Reports from Russia suggest he was also in charge of the latter’s travel plans.
YEVGENY MAKARYAN
Makaryan was injured in Syria in 2018 after intense U.S. bombardments, a conflict known as the Battle of Khasham, which claimed many Wagner lives, as stated by the Dossier Center.
Makaryan’s precise role within Wagner is yet to be ascertained.
Details regarding the other Wagner associates on board — Alexander Totmin, Sergei Propustin, and Nikolai Matuseiev — are scant. The Dossier Center points out that at least one of them had been in a squad that provided Prigozhin with personal protection. Their tenure with Wagner spans several years.
The plane’s crew consisted of a relatively unknown trio: a pilot, a co-pilot, and an air steward.
The recent plane crash in Russia has not only unveiled significant names linked to the enigmatic Wagner group but has also shed light on the intricate connections between business, mercenary operations, and politics. With Prigozhin at the heart of this web, the world is left with more questions than answers, and as investigations proceed, the global community waits with bated breath to understand the full impact of this tragic event on Russia’s geopolitical landscape.
