Kremlin denies involvement in Prigozhin's death

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Kremlin has denied Western claims that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, was killed in a plane crash on its orders. Russia's aviation authority has reported that 10 bodies and flight recorders have been recovered from the crash site. Prigozhin led a mutiny against army chiefs two months ago, and some Western politicians and commentators have suggested that his death was ordered by Putin as punishment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed these claims as false and stated that official results would be published once the necessary tests and investigations are complete.

Russian investigators have opened a probe into the crash, but the cause of the plane's sudden fall from the sky has not yet been determined. The identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage have also not been officially confirmed. Peskov stated that it was unclear how long the tests and investigative work would take, making it impossible to speculate on whether Putin would attend Prigozhin's funeral. When asked about the future of the Wagner Group, Peskov said he had no information at the moment.

The British Ministry of Defence stated that there is no definitive proof that Prigozhin was on board the downed plane, but it is highly likely that he is dead. The ministry believes that Prigozhin's death would have a destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group, as his personal attributes of hyper-activity, audacity, and brutality would be difficult to replace. Experts have suggested that an explosion is the likely cause of the crash, based on the plane's dramatic descent, the way it broke apart in the air, and the extent of the debris field.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claims that he warned Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, another Russian mercenary chief, about possible threats to their lives. Lukashenko insists that Wagner fighters will remain in Belarus. Putin initially vowed to crush Prigozhin's mutiny, but later allowed Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus. Lukashenko stated that he had warned Prigozhin about the consequences if he continued to march on Moscow. He also warned both Prigozhin and Utkin to watch out for their safety. Lukashenko emphasized that Putin had nothing to do with the plane crash and that Wagner fighters would continue to live and work in Belarus as long as they are needed.

FutureCar Staff