Wagner Army Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin Dies in Plane Crash Amid Speculations
In a tragic incident, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner private military group known for his opposition against Russian President Vladimir Putin, has died in a plane crash. The crash claimed the lives of Prigozhin and 10 others. The circumstances surrounding his death have sparked speculations ranging from an accident to potential assassination orchestrated by Putin or involvement from Ukraine.
Suspicions of foul play in President Putin’s involvement in Prigozhin’s death stem from the fact that after Prigozhin’s rebellion, his private army had become increasingly active in Moscow, leading to a significant crisis that was barely contained. Following the uprising on June 23, Putin was visibly angered and had strongly criticized Prigozhin, calling him a “traitor” and threatening retaliation. However, he later withdrew his accusations against Prigozhin. Nonetheless, just 60 days after the rebellion, Prigozhin met an untimely demise in a plane crash.
The true cause behind Prigozhin’s death remains elusive. Prior to the plane crash in Moscow on Wednesday, Prigozhin had been involved in several activities. Let’s take a closer look at his actions leading up to the crash.
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Events Leading Up to the Crash
At present, the Wagner Army is actively engaged in Africa, providing its services to various countries in the region. Prigozhin was also in Africa during this period. On Wednesday afternoon, Prigozhin returned to the Russian capital, Moscow, from Africa. Upon his return, he engaged in several significant meetings.
In Moscow, Prigozhin had a meeting with Wagner Deputy Chief Dmitry Yutkin. Later that evening, he dined at a restaurant in Moscow. Following this, Prigozhin, accompanied by the deputy chief of his Wagner Army, took off on a chartered plane bound for Saint Petersburg.
The Tragic Crash:
The chartered plane carried a total of 10 individuals, including Prigozhin. Two chartered planes were flying from Moscow to Saint Petersburg, but tragically, one of the planes crashed just outside Moscow, leading to the demise of all onboard. The Russian government news agency ‘TASS’ reported that the plane carried 3 pilots and 7 passengers, en route from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. The crash occurred more than 100 kilometers away from Moscow, in the Tver region.
As investigations continue, the circumstances of the crash and the events leading up to it raise questions about the true cause of Prigozhin’s death. Speculations persist, but conclusive evidence remains elusive.
