Kremlin denies involvement in Wagner leader’s fatal plane crash
The Kremlin has vehemently denied any involvement in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary group known as Wagner, while refraining from confirming his death definitively.
Russia‘s aviation authority announced that Prigozhin was aboard a private jet that tragically crashed on the evening of August 23, northwest of Moscow, with no survivors.
Prigozhin had previously led an unsuccessful mutiny against the Kremlin and Russia’s military leadership just two months ago. However, he reversed his course when the Belarusian president claimed to have brokered a deal between Putin and Prigozhin to prevent further bloodshed.
Following the agreement, Prigozhin was frequently spotted in Belarus, Africa, and even traveled in and out of Russia without apparent concerns about retribution from Putin.
One day after the crash, which occurred precisely two months after Prigozhin’s failed mutiny against army chiefs, President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to the families of the crash victims. Notably, he referred to Prigozhin in the past tense, breaking his silence on the matter.
READ ALSO: Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin suspected dead in Russian plane crash
He also mentioned “preliminary information” suggesting that Prigozhin and his top associates in the Wagner mercenary group had all perished. While he praised Prigozhin, he also acknowledged that Prigozhin had made “serious mistakes.”
Some Western politicians, although lacking concrete evidence, have suggested that Putin might have ordered Prigozhin’s killing as retribution for his role in the June 23-24 mutiny, which represented a significant challenge to Putin’s rule since he assumed power in 1999.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, categorically dismissed these allegations as baseless. He emphasized the need to await the results of ongoing investigations.
Peskov explained, “There is currently a significant amount of speculation surrounding this plane crash and the tragic deaths of the passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. In the West, much of this speculation is presented from a familiar angle. All of this is unfounded, and in discussing this issue, it’s essential to rely on facts, which are still limited and need to be established during the investigative process.”
Earlier on Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticized U.S. President Joe Biden for expressing a lack of surprise about Prigozhin’s death in the plane crash, accusing Biden of disregarding diplomatic norms.
Russian investigators have initiated a probe into the incident but have not disclosed their suspicions regarding the cause of the plane’s abrupt descent northwest of Moscow.
When asked if the Kremlin had received official confirmation of Prigozhin’s death, Peskov responded, “As per the Russian president’s statement, all necessary tests, including genetic tests, will be conducted. The official results will be made public as soon as they are available.”
Peskov also clarified that Putin had not recently met with Prigozhin and mentioned that the timeline for tests and investigative work remains uncertain. Consequently, it is premature to discuss whether Putin will attend Prigozhin’s funeral.
Peskov added, “There are no set dates for the funeral; we cannot discuss it at this time. The president has a rather hectic schedule currently.”
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