Russian Mercenary Leader Dies in Mysterious Plane Crash

Yevgeny Prigozhin was a controversial figure in Russia and abroad. He was the leader of Wagner Group, a private military company that operated in various conflict zones, such as Syria, Libya, and Central African Republic. He was also known as “Putin’s chef” because of his catering business that served the Kremlin and other high-profile events.

Prigozhin was accused of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and the 2018 African Union summit. He was sanctioned by the US and the EU for his involvement in these activities. He was also wanted by Interpol for his role in the murder of three Russian journalists in the Central African Republic in 2018.

Russian Mercenary Leader Dies in Mysterious Plane Crash
Russian Mercenary Leader Dies in Mysterious Plane Crash

What happened to his plane?

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a private jet that crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region, north of Moscow. The plane was en route from Moscow to St Petersburg, Prigozhin’s home base. According to Russia’s aviation authority, there were 10 people on board, including three crew members and seven passengers. Among them were Dmitry Utkin, the top commander of Wagner Group, and other associates of Prigozhin.

The plane, an Embraer Legacy 600, showed no sign of problems until it dropped suddenly from its cruising altitude of 28,000 feet to the ground in about 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data. An unverified video clip posted on social media showed a plane resembling a private jet falling out of the sky. Another unverified clip showed burning wreckage on the ground.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but Prigozhin’s allies quickly accused the Russian defence ministry of assassinating him. They claimed that he had been targeted by one or more surface-to-air missiles, although there was no evidence to support this allegation. They also hailed him as a hero and a patriot who had died at the hands of unidentified people they called “traitors to Russia”.

Why was he at odds with the Russian defence establishment?

Prigozhin had been at odds with the Russian defence establishment since he launched an abortive mutiny in June 2023. He and his Wagner fighters had tried to overthrow the top brass of the Russian army, who they accused of corruption and incompetence. They had also shot down Russian attack helicopters, killing an unconfirmed number of pilots. This move had infuriated the military and President Vladimir Putin, who said that the mutiny could have tipped Russia into civil war.

Prigozhin had also been competing with the Russian defence ministry for influence and contracts in Africa and elsewhere. He had been involved in various covert operations and business deals that often clashed with the official interests and policies of Moscow. He had also been criticized by some Russian analysts and activists for his reckless and unethical actions that tarnished Russia’s reputation and endangered its security.

What are the implications of his death?

Prigozhin’s death, if confirmed, would leave Wagner Group leaderless and raise questions about its future operations and fate. It would also rid Putin of someone who had mounted the most serious challenge to his authority since he came to power in 1999. However, it could also spark a power struggle among Prigozhin’s allies and rivals, both within and outside Russia. It could also trigger a backlash from some of his supporters and sympathizers, who might seek revenge or justice for his death.

Prigozhin’s death would also have implications for the international community, especially for the countries where Wagner Group had been active or planned to be active. It could create a vacuum or an opportunity for other actors to fill or exploit. It could also affect the ongoing investigations and lawsuits against Prigozhin and his associates for their alleged crimes and violations.

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