BREAKING: Putin Confirms Death of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin as “Onboard Explosion”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence regarding the enigmatic plane crash that is believed to have claimed the
Nik Richie
Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence regarding the enigmatic plane crash that is believed to have claimed the lives of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Group, and Dmitry Utkin, the co-founder of the private military company, along with eight others near Kuzhenkino, Russia. Putin’s remarks came shortly after the bodies of the crash victims were transported to the Tver Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination.
In an on-camera statement, Putin conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims, acknowledging the tragic aviation incident. He noted that Wagner Group had played a substantial role in the collective endeavor of combatting the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine.
Having known Yevgeny Prigozhin for decades, dating back to the early 1990s, Putin acknowledged the complexities of Prigozhin’s life journey and acknowledged that he had made significant errors in his life. Putin also acknowledged Prigozhin’s contributions, highlighting the results achieved for both himself and the broader shared mission.
Turning to the ongoing investigation, Putin assured that a preliminary inquiry into the incident had already been initiated by the Investigative Committee. He emphasized the commitment to a comprehensive and thorough investigation, stating that there was no doubt about the process’s integrity. He mentioned that the investigative findings would be disclosed in the near future, as technical and genetic tests were presently being conducted, albeit requiring some time.
Putin’s comments mark his official response to the tragic crash, which has raised questions and speculation about the circumstances surrounding the event and the individuals involved.
Russia’s civil aviation authority has confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Group, was among the passengers on a private jet that crashed, resulting in the loss of all on board.
Earlier reports from the Wagner-linked Telegram channel “Grey Zone” indicated that the Embraer aircraft might have been brought down by air defense systems in the Tver region, situated north of Moscow.
The tragic incident involved a private jet, an Embraer Legacy, en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. The aircraft carried a total of seven passengers and three crew members.
Prigozhin, who led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Russian armed forces in June, was among those on board the ill-fated jet.
According to Grey Zone, local residents in the area heard two distinct sounds before the crash and witnessed two vapor trails in the sky.
Reports from the Tass news agency detailed that the Embraer Legacy, owned by Prigozhin, caught fire upon impact with the ground. The aircraft had been in flight for less than 30 minutes. Grey Zone further revealed that a second business jet owned by Prigozhin managed to land safely in the Moscow region.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, played a central role in a mutiny that unfolded on June 23-24. He directed his troops from Ukraine to capture the southern Russian city of Rostov on Don, thereby posing a threat to Moscow.