Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to the families affected by the plane crash that reportedly killed Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin, a former chef and confidant of Putin, had been in exile after an unsuccessful attempt to revolt against the lack of Russian successes in Ukraine. Putin described Prigozhin as a “talented businessman” but acknowledged that he made serious mistakes. While Putin did not confirm Prigozhin’s death, the Pentagon stated that initial intelligence points to his demise in the crash. However, reports have not been independently verified by CNBC and NBC News.
Experts believe that Prigozhin’s death was not an accidental event, but rather a deliberate military-style operation. Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national security advisor, suggests that Prigozhin’s fate was already sealed after a previous mutiny against Putin’s rule. Retired Admiral James Stavridis opines that the attack serves as a public execution and a demonstration of Putin’s authority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denies any involvement from Kyiv in the downing of the private jet on Russian soil, stating that “everyone understands who is involved.”
The plane crash that reportedly claimed the life of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, has garnered attention due to its potential political implications. Russian President Putin expressed condolences to the victims’ families while describing Prigozhin as a talented but flawed businessman. The Pentagon suggested that Prigozhin likely died in the crash, which some experts believe was a deliberate military-style operation targeting dissenters. However, the reports have not been confirmed independently. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy denied any involvement from Kyiv in the incident, emphasizing that the responsible party is evident to all. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further details have yet to be disclosed.