Russian Mercenary Group Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Dies in Plane Crash

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, known for its involvement in a failed coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin, is reported to have died in a plane crash, according to Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia. The plane crash occurred on a flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 10 individuals on board, including three crew members, as reported by Russia’s emergency ministry via state newswire RIA Novosti.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s name was found on the list of passengers for the ill-fated flight, as confirmed by Russian officials. While unconfirmed media reports suggest that the aircraft might have belonged to Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military company, it remains unclear whether he had actually boarded the flight. The Russian civilian aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia, has initiated an investigation into the crash and noted the presence of Prigozhin’s name on the passenger list.

Previously linked to a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel called Grey Zone claimed that the plane was shot down by air defenses in the Tver region, north of Moscow, as reported by BBC. Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private military force, Wagner, has been associated with fighting alongside Russia’s regular army in Ukraine. Following the attempted coup, the Kremlin announced Prigozhin’s exile to Belarus, and his fighters were expected to either retire, follow him to Belarus, or join the Russian military.

The reported death of Prigozhin marks a significant development in the aftermath of the Wagner group’s coup attempt and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the plane crash and its implications.