Moscow: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military company and the mastermind behind a daring armed rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year is believed to have met his demise in a tragic plane crash. The incident occurred in a remote area north of Moscow, claiming the lives of all 10 individuals on board.
Russian authorities swiftly identified Prigozhin among the casualties, citing both flight records and the airline's confirmation. The circumstances surrounding the crash have raised suspicions, given the shadowy nature of Prigozhin's activities and his recent history of leading a mutiny against the Russian forces.
The charges against Prigozhin related to the rebellion were dropped, allowing him to retreat to Belarus. Since then, his movements have been shrouded in secrecy, fuelling intense speculation about his whereabouts and intentions. Some reports even suggest that he may have adopted multiple identities to obfuscate his travels.
Analysts have noted that Prigozhin's death if confirmed, is unlikely to significantly impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where his troops have played a formidable role in some of the most intense battles over the past year and a half.
Despite his forces' withdrawal from frontline action following the capture of the city of Bakhmut, Prigozhin remained a symbol of opposition and defiance.
The crash occurred shortly after Prigozhin's recruitment video for the Wagner group was released, emphasizing the company's involvement in reconnaissance and search activities. In the video, he pledged to make "Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free." However, the crash has cut short any further aspirations he may have had.
Russian media also reported the dismissal of General Sergei Surovikin, who was connected to Prigozhin. Surovikin's absence from public view since the rebellion has fuelled speculation about his fate as well. The timing of his dismissal, alongside Prigozhin's death, has led to speculation of a larger internal power struggle within the Russian military establishment.
Experts believe that Prigozhin's death, regardless of the circumstances, will be viewed by many as an act of vengeance orchestrated by the Kremlin. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, stated that the Kremlin's involvement, if any, would likely be accepted without question.
Stanovaya emphasized that Prigozhin's death sends a clear message to potential followers and dissidents within the Russian ranks.