Who else was on Prigozhin’s crashed plane?
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Wagner Chief and Associates
In a devastating incident, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Wagner, a private military company, lost his life when his plane crashed in the Tver region of Russia. The Russian authorities have confirmed the tragic event, revealing that all 10 individuals on board the aircraft, including three crew members and seven passengers, were killed.
The Passengers on Board
The Federal Air Transportation Agency of Russia has released the names of the passengers who were on the ill-fated flight. Among them were Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin, Sergei Propustin, Evgeny Makaryan, Alexander Totmin, Valery Chekalov, and Nikolai Matyuseev. The aircraft commander Alexei Levshin, co-pilot Rustam Karimov, and flight attendant Kristina Raspopova were also among the victims.
Exploring the Lives of Wagner’s Key Figures
Yevgeny Prigozhin, along with the other six individuals who perished in the crash, played significant roles within Wagner. This private military company gained international attention when it attempted a coup in June, just two months prior to the tragic incident.
Dmitry Utkin: A Mysterious Figure
Dmitry Utkin, one of the most well-known figures in Wagner, remains shrouded in mystery. He served in Russia’s elite special forces, Spetsnaz, from 1993 to 2013, with deployments in Chechnya. However, little is known about his life after leaving the military. Some analysts believe he may have been the true head of Wagner, with Prigozhin serving as a figurehead.
Valery Chekalov: Wagner’s Deputy
Valery Chekalov, reportedly Prigozhin’s deputy at Wagner, was responsible for the group’s security service. He faced sanctions from the United States for his involvement in facilitating shipments of munitions to Russia. Chekalov also had lucrative oil deals with the Syrian government through his company, Evropolis.
Yevgeny Makaryan: Fighter and Presumed Bodyguard
Yevgeny Makaryan, a fighter in Wagner, was rumored to be Prigozhin’s bodyguard. He gained attention when his name appeared on the controversial Ukrainian Myrotvorets website, which lists alleged “enemies of Ukraine.” Makaryan joined Wagner in 2016 and was part of the fourth assault detachment in Syria.
Alexander Totmin: Fighter and Alleged Bodyguard
Alexander Totmin, another fighter in Wagner, was presumed to be one of Prigozhin’s bodyguards. He was also listed on the Myrotvorets website, which claimed he had fought in Sudan.
Sergey Propustin: Wagner Fighter and Grenade Launcher
Sergey Propustin, a Wagner fighter, served as a reconnaissance grenade launcher. He was included in the Myrotvorets list of alleged enemies and joined Wagner in 2015.
Nikolai Matuseev: A Mysterious Presence
Although Nikolai Matuseev is not officially listed as a member of Wagner, reports suggest that a person with the same name joined the company in January 2017, serving in the same unit as Yevgeny Makaryan in Syria.
Despite the tragic loss of these individuals, the investigation into the plane crash continues, leaving many questions unanswered.
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