Russia’s Investigative Committee has officially confirmed the demise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder and head of the infamous mercenary group known as Wagner. This revelation comes after a plane crash that claimed the lives of Prigozhin and several other individuals.
Plane Crash Confirms Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Fate
The Investigative Committee of Russia disclosed on a Sunday statement that they have conclusively verified the identity of Yevgeny Prigozhin amongst the casualties of a recent plane crash. Prigozhin, renowned for his leadership of the Wagner mercenary force, had led a short-lived armed rebellion against Russia’s military.
According to Svetlana Petrenko, the Committee’s spokeswoman, forensic and genetic testing was conducted, confirming the identities of all ten bodies recovered at the crash site. These findings align with the passenger manifest of the ill-fated plane. However, no specific details regarding the cause of the crash were provided in the statement.
Background on Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner
Yevgeny Prigozhin, aged 62, was a figure of significant notoriety in Russia. He was known for leading the Wagner group, a private military company that had been involved in various military conflicts, including Ukraine and several African and Middle Eastern countries.
Notably, Prigozhin had orchestrated a brief mutiny against Russia’s military, leading his mercenaries from Ukraine towards Moscow. This act was labeled as “treason” by President Vladimir Putin. Surprisingly, instead of facing charges, Prigozhin struck a deal with the Kremlin, allowing him to go free and resettle in Belarus.
This agreement raised questions about whether Prigozhin would ultimately face consequences for his rebellion, which had posed a significant challenge to Putin’s authority during his lengthy rule.
Plane Crash and Speculations
The plane crash that claimed Prigozhin’s life and the lives of several of his top lieutenants has given rise to speculations. A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment suggested that the crash resulted from an intentional explosion. Suspicions grew that this might have been an assassination attempt orchestrated by the Russian president. However, the Kremlin vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as a “complete lie.”
Western officials hinted at the possibility that Prigozhin was “very likely” targeted, citing Putin’s history of silencing critics. Among the casualties were Prigozhin’s second-in-command, Dmitry Utkin, and Valery Chekalov, the logistical mastermind behind Wagner.
The fate of Wagner, which had played a significant role in Russia’s military campaigns, especially in Ukraine, remains uncertain. Following the mutiny, the Kremlin had offered Prigozhin exile in Belarus, while his fighters were given three options: to accompany him, retire, or join Russia’s regular army and return to Ukraine.
Several thousand Wagner mercenaries opted for relocation to Belarus, where a dedicated camp was established near Minsk, the capital.
As investigations into the plane crash continue, questions surrounding the circumstances and implications of Prigozhin’s death persist.