It was shocking news to all when Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Russia’s Wagner Group and recent challenger to Vladimir Putin, died in a plane crash that left 10 other people dead outside Moscow. According to TASS News Agency, the business jet was traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it crashed in the Tver region.
Aviation experts agreed that the business jet reportedly carrying Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin experienced a catastrophic structural failure when it crashed Wednesday and evidence points away from a simple mechanical problem or human error. https://t.co/KwwhfkMrqY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 25, 2023
The Federal Air Transport Agency confirmed that Prigozhin was among those listed as passengers aboard the Embraer aircraft and an investigation into his death has since been launched. President Biden was asked about these reports but said he didn’t know for certain what had happened. He did say though “Not much happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind.”
Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and former senior official at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), commented on this situation saying “At this time, we lack independent confirmation whether the Russian media or Federal Air Transport Agency reporting about Prigozhin’s death is credible.” She added that there could be many reasons why Moscow would want us to believe he had passed away and again noted that it seemed suspiciously coincidental with today being Republican presidential debate day.
LATEST: Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, rejects allegations that the Kremlin was behind a plane crash that is presumed to have killed mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. https://t.co/1ux3NQDHt5
— ABC News (@ABC) August 25, 2023
One of Wagner’s Telegram channels also confirmed Prigozhin’s death calling it “a big tragedy for the Fatherland”. The post went on to say “If this is done by an external enemy – which is unlikely – it only precipitates and exacerbates his inevitable defeat,” suggesting foul play may have occurred here as well.
Putin made a public appearance at a concert in Russia after news of the crash emerged; however, his press secretary said he had been informed of events surrounding Prigozhin’s death and necessary measures were being taken.
Russian paramilitary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s apparent assassination could light the fuse on another cycle of internal blood-letting despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire to assert authority within the Russian system.https://t.co/IzOThz002a
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 25, 2023
In late June, Prigorzin initiated what observers called one of the most significant challenges yet against Putin’s rule throughout his 23 years in power- marching 25000 strong mercenary forces to within 125 miles of Moscow before abruptly ending operations and ordering troops back home followed by his own exile in Belarus shortly after.
His social media post later acknowledged him as “the greatest commander in modern history” who had given up his life fighting enemies of Fatherland; memory about our heroes is immortal they add- highlighting just how much respect he held amongst Russians despite challenging their leader months ago prior to meeting tragic end.
