Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner and a rebel against Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, perished in a plane crash in Russia, according to a report from the BBC on Wednesday.
Wagner chief killed in plane crash: According to the investigation, nine further passengers died. After rebelling against Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister, and beginning a march towards Moscow, Prigozhin changed his mind after consulting with Putin.
On Wednesday, Prigozhin was on a private plane that crashed outside of Moscow. “Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash of the Embraer jet in the Tver area tonight.” According to the passenger list, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s name and last name are among them, the Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia said, according to news agency TASS.
TASS previously reported the deaths of ten individuals resulting from a private jet crash in the Tver area of Russia, located to the north of Moscow. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and seven passengers as it flew from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Mercenary group Wagner Group was started by Yevgeny Prigozhin. After Russia launched a full-scale military assault on Ukraine, where his men oversaw the Russian assault on the city of Bakhmut in what would become the longest and bloodiest fighting of the conflict, he rose to fame.
However, in June, Prigozhin organised a coup in which Wagner warriors seized Rostov-on-Don in the south and downed several military chopper as they headed towards Moscow, killing their pilots. However, Prigozhin decided to halt the march on Moscow in order to, in his words, end the slaughter.
Developments and Declarations: Putin’s Reaction, Criminal Proceedings, and Prigozhin’s Vision
Putin referred to it as a treacherous act, and Russia accused the Wagner leader of mutiny and initiated criminal proceedings. Subsequently, the Kremlin announced the abandonment of the criminal prosecution against Prigozhin for his involvement in an armed mutiny. The announcement further indicated that both Prigozhin and a number of his troops would be departing for Belarus.
Prigozhin claimed that the video had been shot in Africa and he released his first video speech since the June rebellion through a social media video. In the video, the Wagner CEO deliberated on the expansion of Russia across all continents and the advancement of increased freedom in Africa, broadcasting the message on Telegram.
“Everything is perfect; the temperature is 50 degrees. He asserted that the Wagner PMC (private military firm) is contributing to the increased freedom of Africa, consequently enhancing Russia’s influence across all continents. “We’re making life a living hell for ISIS, al Qaeda, and other bandits in order to bring justice and happiness to the African people.” The Wagner gang leader added that his mercenary company was hiring new members.