25-8-2023 (MOSCOW) Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence regarding the plane crash that occurred a day earlier, resulting in the reported deaths of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, and several senior members. In televised remarks, Putin extended his “sincere condolences to the families of all the victims,” labeling the crash as a “tragedy.”
The fatal crash took place on the evening of Wednesday, exactly two months after Prigozhin led a rebellion against Moscow’s top military leadership, perceived by some as a significant challenge to Putin’s long-standing rule.
While Moscow initiated a probe into possible violations of air traffic regulations, investigators have remained silent. Speculation about the possibility of an assassination has grown.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explicitly denied any involvement on Kyiv’s part in the incident and hinted at Russia’s responsibility: “I think everyone knows who this concerns.” He added, “There is a court in The Hague, there is a court of God. But Russia has an alternative (court) – President Putin.”
When Putin finally addressed the situation on Thursday, he offered a qualified tribute to Prigozhin and the Wagner paramilitary group he led. Putin stated, “I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early ’90s. He was a man of complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in his life, but he achieved the right results.” This sentiment marked a significant shift from his earlier description of Prigozhin as a “traitor” during the Wagner rebellion in June.
Putin acknowledged that the Wagner members who perished in the crash had made a “significant contribution” to Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. He emphasized that they shared a common cause, stating, “We remember that, we know that, and we will not forget that.”
The investigation into the crash is expected to take time, but Putin assured that it would be conducted thoroughly and brought to a conclusion.
Leaders from Western countries, including US President Joe Biden, expressed doubts about the crash’s accidental nature. France mentioned “reasonable doubts,” and Germany noted a pattern of “unclarified” fatalities in Russia.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock raised suspicions, saying it was suspicious that “a disgraced former confidant of Putin suddenly, literally falls from the sky two months after he attempted a mutiny.”
Even influential pro-Kremlin figures like Margarita Simonyan suggested the possibility of an assassination. She said, “Among the versions that are being discussed (about the crash) is that it was staged. But personally, I’m leaning towards the more obvious one.”
Russia’s aviation authority released the passenger list for the Embraer private jet that crashed. The list included Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure known for managing Wagner’s operations and alleged service in Russian military intelligence.
The crash site, near the village of Kuzhenkino, was patrolled by Russian police. Witnesses in the area described hearing a loud noise and seeing fire. Video footage verified by AFP showed the Embraer Legacy plane engulfed in white smoke as it plummeted from the sky.
Flightradar24, a flight tracking website, reported that the plane, flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg, was visible on radar until the last 30 seconds and experienced a dramatic descent at around 3:20 pm.
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, the US military stated that they had “no information to suggest that there was a surface-to-air missile” involved.
Prigozhin enjoyed some popularity in Russia, particularly among nationalist-leaning Russians who embraced his tough image. Some even speculated that he might participate in the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to extend Putin’s rule.
However, in Ukraine, where Wagner fighters were notorious for their brutality, many welcomed the news of Prigozhin’s death. The Wagner group had recruited thousands of Russian convicts to fight in Ukraine, often placing them on the front lines.
