- Recovery of Bodies and Flight Recorders from Jet Crash Site
- Denial of Kremlin Order to Murder Wagner Chief
- Speculation and Uncertainty Surrounding Plane Crash and Prigozhin’s Fate
According to Russia, ten bodies and flight recorders have been recovered from the crash site of a jet believed to have murdered Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
According to researchers, presently molecular-genetic tests are being conducted.
Wednesday’s plane disaster near Moscow prompted rumors that a bomb or a missile was to blame.
Prigozhin’s murder was a “complete lie,” according to a Putin spokeswoman.
Prigozhin, a former Putin supporter, led his mercenary fighters in a failed armed revolt in June.
Putin termed the mutiny “treason” at the time, but a deal was subsequently reached for Wagner mercenaries to either join Russia’s regular army or go to Belarus, Moscow’s ally.
Despite this, in the aftermath of the rebellion, many observers referred to Prigozhin, 62, as “a walking corpse,” arguing that the Russian president would never forgive the Wagner chief.
During a conference call with journalists on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was “considerable speculation” surrounding the “tragic” deaths of all 10 persons in Wednesday’s plane crash in the Tver region, north-west of Moscow.
According to the passenger manifest, Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, along with five other passengers and three crew members, were on board the Embraer Legacy 600 jet.
“In the West, this speculation originates from a particular perspective. It’s all a complete fabrication,” continued Mr. Peskov.
He added, “We do not have many facts at this time. The facts must be clarified during the official investigation that is currently being conducted.”
Despite the plane’s manifest, Mr. Peskov wouldn’t say if the Kremlin knew Prigozhin was on board.
As a result of Prigozhin’s presumed demise, the destiny of Wagner itself has become more uncertain.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said Friday that up to 10,000 Wagner troops would remain in the nation.
Many experts, however, believe that Mr. Lukashenko receives orders from the Kremlin.
President Putin remained silent for nearly twenty-four hours before conveying his condolences to the families of all the victims.
He also characterized Prigozhin as a “talented individual” who “committed grave errors in his life.”
But from the instant the plane crashed, speculation has been rife regarding the cause of the crash.
The Pentagon believes that the Wagner chief was likely killed, while a US official told CBS News that an explosion on board the aircraft was the most probable cause of the crash.
President Joe Biden stated on Friday that the United States was still “nailing down” the cause of the plane crash.
