Russian news agency "TASS" reported that a private plane crashed in the Tver region north of Moscow, carrying ten people, including the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Among the dead was his co-founder and the group's effective military leader, Dmitry Utkin. According to witnesses, the plane may have exploded in mid-air before falling.
The Russian Civil Aviation Authority announced in a statement that "the head of the Russian private military group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in the crash of the private plane that was transporting him from Moscow to St. Petersburg, along with nine other people." The statement added: "The plane, an Embraer, was on a flight from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow to St. Petersburg. There were three pilots and seven passengers on board, all of whom lost their lives."
Russian media reported that eight bodies were found at the crash site, but two bodies are still missing. It was announced that the plane accompanying Prigozhin landed at one of Moscow's airports after flying around the capital, but Russian military officials later confirmed the deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin. The "Financial Times" reported via a Telegram channel linked to Wagner that "initial information suggests that anti-aircraft defenses shot down the plane north of Moscow," especially since the aircraft reportedly exploded in mid-air.
Wagner threatens
A Telegram channel linked to the Wagner military group stated on Wednesday that group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed. A post on the "Gray Zone" Telegram channel read: "The head of Wagner... a hero of Russia... a true patriot... Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin was killed as a result of treachery against Russia." The post added, "But even in hell, he will be the best! Glory to Russia!" There have been reports that Wagner threatened to storm the Kremlin following Prigozhin's death.
First comment from Washington
The U.S. National Security commented that "the death of Prigozhin is not surprising," while President Joe Biden received an initial report on the plane crash, stating: "I'm not surprised by what happened. Nothing happens in Russia without Putin's knowledge." In a statement, the Ukrainian presidency noted that "the downing of Prigozhin's plane is a message from Putin to the Russian elite."
Prigozhin's recent days
Prigozhin spent the last week in an extremely hot region, according to complaints made in a recent video he filmed, and many speculated he was located in Africa. Both Prigozhin and Putin hail from St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, and their relationship likely dates back to the 1990s, when Putin worked in the St. Petersburg mayor's office and frequented Prigozhin's popular restaurant among local officials.
Prigozhin's catering business flourished and expanded after securing contracts with government entities, including schools, kindergartens, and eventually the military. For many years, Prigozhin denied any connection to the mercenary group Wagner and even sued journalists who claimed he founded it. Wagner first emerged in eastern Ukraine in 2014, supporting Russia-backed separatists in seizing Ukrainian territories and establishing two separate republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Since 2014, Wagner has participated in numerous conflicts worldwide, notably in Syria and several African countries. The group reportedly engages in military operations in various countries experiencing internal conflicts in exchange for access to natural resources. For example, it has been reported that Wagner operatives guard oil fields controlled by the Syrian government in exchange for a share of the revenues.
In Libya, Wagner fought alongside General Khalifa Haftar as he attempted to overthrow the UN-backed government, funded by revenues from the country's oil industry. In the Central African Republic, the group stands by the current government against Islamic militant groups.
In September of last year, six months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Prigozhin suddenly admitted to founding the Wagner group, which had proven to be one of the most effective Russian units in the war. After engaging in fierce battles in Ukraine, the Wagner leader rebelled against President Putin, leading many to believe that his end was near. So, was the plane crash due to a malfunction or was it targeted?
Where was Putin?
As news of the crash spread, it became apparent that Russian President Vladimir Putin was at a military concert at the time of the plane crash involving the Wagner leader.
