Russia has confirmed through genetic testing that the leader of Wagner died in a plane crash.
Genetic Testing Confirms Death of Wagner Group Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin
Last week, Russian officials announced that genetic testing has confirmed the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group. This comes two months after Prigozhin led a brief uprising against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Plane Crash in Tver Region
The Russian Investigative Committee revealed that Prigozhin was one of several passengers who perished in a private jet crash in the Tver Region, north of Moscow, on Wednesday. According to Russia’s state-run TASS, molecular genetic examinations were conducted as part of the investigation into the crash.
Positive Identification of Victims
The committee stated, “According to their results, the identities of all 10 victims have been established and they correspond to the list stated in the flight manifest.”
Other Passengers
Dmitry Utkin, a top commander of the mercenary group, was also listed as a passenger on the ill-fated aircraft.
Criminal Investigation
A criminal investigation is currently underway to determine if flight safety rules were violated, as reported by TASS.
Confirmation from the U.S. Department of Defense
The U.S. Department of Defense’s initial assessment, as stated by Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Thursday, also confirmed Prigozhin’s death in the crash. The Pentagon dismissed reports suggesting that a surface-to-air missile caused the incident.
Suspected Bomb Explosion
According to ABC News, U.S. officials suspect that the crash may have been caused by a bomb explosion onboard.
Kremlin’s Response
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the “speculation” from the West surrounding the crash, stating, “All of that is sheer lies,” as reported by ABC News.
Prigozhin’s Background and Uprising
Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, was once considered an ally of Putin, with his mercenaries acting in Russia’s interests in various regions, including Africa and the Middle East, according to The Washington Post. However, their relationship began to deteriorate during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Criticism of Russian Military
Prigozhin openly criticized the Russian military’s handling of the conflict, accusing generals of denying his forces supplies in the fight, as reported by The New York Times.
Rebellion and Return
In late June, Wagner troops initiated an uprising and marched towards Moscow for approximately 24 hours. Although Prigozhin and his mercenaries were seemingly exiled to Belarus as part of a deal to end the rebellion, Prigozhin was spotted in Russia a month later.
Putin’s Remarks
Following the plane crash, Putin referred to Prigozhin as a “talented man” who made “serious mistakes in life,” as reported by CNN.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...