Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was previously aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin but later led a failed insurrection through his Wagner Group mercenaries in June, has been associated with a business jet crash that occurred in Russia on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 lives. It remains uncertain whether Prigozhin was present on the aircraft, as authorities have not confirmed his presence on board.
Unverified media reports have suggested that the jet might have belonged to Prigozhin. He led his group in a march that brought them close to Moscow, covering a distance of approximately 120 miles, before reversing their course on June 24th. Subsequently, Prigozhin and the Wagner soldiers were granted asylum in Belarus as part of an agreement to quell the rebellion. However, he was later spotted both in Russia and Africa.
The flight that crashed was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Russia’s aviation regulatory body, Rosaviatsia, has indicated that Prigozhin’s name was listed among the passengers. Nevertheless, there is no certainty regarding whether he actually boarded the flight, which went down in the Tver region, more than 60 miles to the north of Moscow.
According to reports from Russia’s state news agency, Tass, the plane was carrying three pilots and seven passengers. Authorities are actively investigating the incident. RIA Novosti, another state news agency, has reported that eight bodies have been recovered at the crash site, as confirmed by emergency officials. Video footage captures the distressing sight of the plane descending rapidly from the sky.
The White House has conveyed that President Joe Biden has been apprised of the situation. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated, “We are aware of the reports. If confirmed, it should not come as a surprise. The devastating conflict in Ukraine resulted in a private army advancing towards Moscow, and now it appears to have culminated in this tragedy.”
Prigozhin initially gained recognition as a caterer for Kremlin events, earning him the moniker “Putin’s Chef.” He later founded the Wagner private military group. This group played a significant role in the prolonged and arduous battle over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. This endeavor led Prigozhin to frequently criticize the Russian Ministry of Defense and its leadership.
(Source: John Bacon | Jorge L. Ortiz | Francesca Chambers | USA Today)
