Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has been reportedly killed following a plane crash in the Tver region, north of Moscow, along with nine other passengers.
Russian authorities claim the Wagner chief was listed on the passenger roster of a private jet that crashed while travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg. Seven passengers and three crew were on board the Embraer aircraft.
Ten killed in private jet crash north of Moscow – Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin ‘on passenger list’
In a tragic event that has shocked Russia and the world, a private jet crash in the Tver region, north of Moscow, has resulted in the death of ten individuals, including the controversial Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Details of the Crash
The Embraer aircraft, en route from Moscow to St Petersburg, crashed under mysterious circumstances. Seven passengers and three crew were on board the ill-fated jet, and no survivors have been reported. Witnesses in the area describe seeing the plane falling out of the sky before it was engulfed in flames.
Yevgeny Prigozhin on the Passenger List
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, was listed on the passenger roster. Prigozhin, a prominent figure in Russian politics and military circles, led an attempted mutiny against the Russian armed forces in June, making his reported death in this crash a matter of significant public interest.
Response from Authorities
Russian authorities have been swift to respond, launching an immediate investigation into the crash. Rosaviatsiya, the Federal Air Transport Agency, confirmed Prigozhin’s presence on the plane through the passenger list.
Speculation and Controversy
A channel linked to Wagner has claimed that the aircraft was shot down by Russian air defenses. This allegation has not been confirmed but adds to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Video Footage and Investigations
Video footage of the plane falling out of the sky, later seen burning in a field, is now circulating on social media. A channel linked to Wagner said the aircraft had been shot down by air defenses, but this has not yet been confirmed.
The Federal Air Transport Agency, also known as Rosaviatsiya, said, “An investigation has been launched into the Embraer plane crash that occurred tonight in the Tver region. According to the passenger list, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin.”
Prigozhin’s Attempted Mutiny
Prigozhin led an attempted mutiny against the Russian armed forces in June. Just two days ago, the warlord shared his first video address since his aborted mutiny. He was sent to Belarus in the aftermath and has since released footage of himself speaking in camouflage and holding a rifle.
Prigozhin’s Background and Controversial Stance
Prigozhin lambasted top Russian officials over Russia’s handling of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He had been warned not to go into high buildings for fear of accidents after leading the coup.
Russian media outlet Baza reported that eight dead bodies were found at the scene, all of them so badly burnt it would take a DNA test to confirm their identities.
U.S. intelligence officials say they cannot confirm reports of Prigozhin’s death.
American officials said they could not confirm the reports from Russia that Yevgeny V. Prigozhin had been killed in an airplane crash, or why the jet went down.
U.S. intelligence agencies had been surprised that President Vladimir V. Putin had not yet taken action against him after his short-lived mutiny in June.
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