The mystery of Wagner leader Prigozhin's fatal plane crash

By Sengul Cox

The recent tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Wagner mercenary leader Prigozhin and other vital figures has sparked a whirlwind of intrigue. Amid speculation of foul play, misidentification, and possible motives, the mysterious circumstances of the crash have captivated the world.

On August 23, the Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that a privately operated Embraer 135 (ЕВМ-135BJ) jet tragically crashed while flying the Moscow-Saint Petersburg route. This incident resulted in the deaths of three crew members and seven passengers. Among the passengers were Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of "Wagner," military leader Boris Utkin, and other individuals associated with the group. The crash occurred near the settlement of Kuzhenkino in the Tver district, with debris scattered over a wide area. An investigation is underway at the crash site, and the Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case. The investigation has been entrusted to Ivan Sibul, an experienced investigator specializing in aviation accidents.

Various interpretations of the crash have emerged. Some suggest that it may have been staged by Ukrainian special services, given the incident's proximity to Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. Eliminating the "Wagner" leaders could be seen as a provocative gesture. However, experts say it is unlikely that high-ranking Russian officials or generals were involved, as more discreet methods were available. Apti Alaudinov, the commander of the Chechen special forces unit "Ahmad," who had certain connections with "Wagner," pointed out that the Russian president (Putin) could have easily eliminated Prigozhin in Africa if he wanted to. The Russian press extensively discusses U.S. President Joe Biden's comments on Prigozhin's death, with Biden suggesting that very little happens in Russia without President Vladimir Putin's involvement.

The plane crash investigation does not exclude the possibility of a mid-air explosion. Major General Vladimir Popov, a highly respected military pilot in the Russian Federation, suggests that an explosion could have occurred in the plane's spare parts or undercarriage, the most likely locations for such incidents.

Nevertheless, the rapid confirmation of Prigozhin's death has raised suspicions. Initial reports indicated that DNA analysis would be required to identify the deceased due to the condition of the remains. However, Wagner quickly confirmed the deaths of Prigozhin and Commander Utkin. In addition, at least two earlier reports of Prigozhin's death were related to plane crashes in Luhansk and the Congo. Prigozhin often used two private planes at the same time.

On August 23, his second plane circled near the crash site and eventually crashed at a private airport near Moscow. Keir Giles, an expert on Russian affairs at the British analytical center Chatham House, speculates that several people have adopted the name Yevgeny Prigozhin to conceal the true owner of "Wagner". Similar uncertainties surround the identity of "Wagner" commander Dmitry Utkin. Keir Giles does not rule out the possibility that Prigozhin will soon reappear in Africa.

The "Arab Africa" telegram channel has claimed that Prigozhin is in Mali and intends to cross Niger on August 25 to counter a possible French invasion. Despite reservations about the deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin, Moscow's African policy may be changing.

It's worth noting that the Russian federal press has refrained from commenting on Prigozhin's death. On August 24, Russian President V. Putin described Prigozhin as a person with a complex destiny, a talented businessman and a patriot. He mentioned that preliminary information indicates that the "Wagner" group members were on board the ill-fated plane and expressed his condolences to the victims' families. President Putin mentioned that genetic and technical analyses would take some time, and all answers would be provided as soon as possible