The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led an open revolt against Moscow two months ago and broke it off at the last moment. Now Prigozhin is reported to have died in a plane crash. This reports the German news website tagesschau.de with reference to the Russian civil defense.
The accident occurred on August 23, 2023 in the Russian region of Tver, according to the country’s air authority. In addition to the mercenary chief, nine other occupants were also reportedly on the crashed plane. Among the occupants was the co-founder of the Wagner Group, Dmitry Utkin. All ten occupants died in the plane crash. Since there was an explosion on board and the bodies are badly burned, it will be some time before a clear identification is available.
The former Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine, Anton Herashchenko, reports via Twitter, that some Wagner mercenaries have already spoken out about what will happen now. In a video they say: “”A lot of discussions about what Wagner will do in this situation. We’ll just say one thing: We’re starting off. Expect us!” What exactly is meant by this is still open.
Image: Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Visit to joint staff of military branches involved in special military operation 04, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image size modified)
