Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence and sent his condolences to the family of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group after his plane crashed with no survivors. Prigozhin had recently led a mutiny against army chiefs, causing speculation about the crash's possible connection to the internal power struggle.
Putin's comments provided a glimpse into his complex sentiments toward Prigozhin and his role in Russian affairs. Prior to Putin's statement, the only official word had come from aviation authorities confirming Prigozhin's presence on the ill-fated flight.
Russian investigators have initiated an inquiry into the crash's cause, though no official details have been released regarding the identities of the bodies recovered from the wreckage. U.S. officials have hinted at various theories, including the possibility of a surface-to-air missile, but the U.S. Department of Defense clarified that there is currently no substantial evidence to support this hypothesis.
The presumed demise of Prigozhin could temporarily strengthen President Putin's position, eliminating a powerful figure who had challenged the military leadership and posed a potential threat to Putin's image. However, Prigozhin's absence also means the loss of a capable player who had played a crucial role in executing Russian interests in conflicts like the Ukraine war and across Africa.
The reaction of Wagner Group fighters remains uncertain, with some already expressing suspicions of betrayal and foul play.
Putin vowed a thorough investigation and acknowledged that preliminary data indicated Prigozhin and other Wagner employees were onboard the downed plane, including the core leadership team.
In his televised remarks, Putin praised Prigozhin as a skilled businessman who pursued his interests and contributed to common causes when necessary. However, he also acknowledged Prigozhin's flaws and significant mistakes.
"I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. It's always a tragedy. I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the 90s. He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life," Putin remarked during a meeting with the chief of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a loyal ally of Putin, characterized Prigozhin as a friend but noted his detachment from the broader picture of the nation's state of affairs.
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The Embraer Legacy 600 jet was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it crashed near Kuzhenkino village in the Tver region. Investigations are reportedly considering the possibility of planted bombs.
Residents near the crash site reported hearing a metallic bang before witnessing the plane's sudden descent. Mourners paid respects to Prigozhin at various locations across Russia.
An individual from the village, identifying himself as Anatoly, described the sound as not thunder, but rather a metallic noise.
"It wasn't thunder, it was a metallic bang - let's put it that way," Anatoly stated.
A Telegram channel linked to Wagner referred to Prigozhin as a hero and patriot who fell victim to "traitors to Russia." Calls for vengeance and recruitment have emerged from Russian militants on Ukraine's side, urging the Wagner Group to join their cause.
Prigozhin's mutiny against the army leadership in June, resulting in the downing of Russian military helicopters, had heightened concerns of civil unrest in Russia. His criticism of the conduct of the war in Ukraine and his attempts to challenge high-ranking military officials marked a turbulent chapter in Russian politics.
The mutiny seemingly ended after Prigozhin agreed to relocate to Belarus. However, he had continued to operate within Russia, raising questions about his apparent immunity to repercussions for his actions.
Prigozhin's recent video address from Africa and his attendance at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg had added another layer of complexity to his involvement in international affairs.
The investigation into the plane crash continues as Russia and the international community await further updates on the tragic incident that has reverberated through the country's political landscape.
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