By Latiifah Amusan
The Russian civil aviation authority has confirmed that the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was among the passengers on a jet that tragically crashed, resulting in the loss of all individuals aboard.
The crash occurred in the Tver region, located to the north of Moscow.
The ill-fated aircraft, identified as an Embraer, was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg and carried a total of ten individuals, including three crew members and seven passengers, including Prigozhin.
Initial reports stemming from the Wagner-linked Telegram channel Grey Zone suggest that the jet might have been targeted by air defenses, as witnesses reported hearing two distinct loud noises before the crash.
In addition, two vapor trails were observed in the sky, fueling speculation about a potential downing.
The Tass news agency has revealed that the aircraft caught fire upon impact with the ground, leading to the discovery of four bodies.
The crash took place just shortly after takeoff, with the plane having been airborne for less than half an hour.
Notably, Yevgeny Prigozhin was recently involved in an unsuccessful mutiny attempt against the Russian armed forces in June.
However, he garnered international attention when he expressed support for the military coup in Niger and offered the services of his fighters to help restore order.
Prigozhin’s offer of assistance drew criticism, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) warning him that any involvement by Wagner mercenaries in the Niger crisis would be considered a declaration of war against the regional bloc.
