Russian Denies Causing Prigozhin Plane Crash
US Says an Explosion on Board Was "Likely"
Overt Operator
August 25, 2023
Claims alleging Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in the plane crash killing Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin were staunchly refuted by Russia on Friday. The U.S.’s evaluation concluded that an explosion on board the aircraft was a “likely” cause of the crash.
In a sudden turn of events this week, a plane crash in the Tver region, just outside Moscow, claimed the lives of ten individuals, including seven passengers and three crew members. Notably, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the infamous warlord who once mutinied against Russia's military establishment, was identified as a passenger on that ill-fated private plane.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, in a conversation with journalists via a conference call, emphasized the preliminary nature of the crash's investigations. "There's a myriad of speculations surrounding this tragedy," Peskov told the BBC. He pointedly remarked about the Western inclination to draw its own conclusions, stating, "These speculations from the West stem from a biased perspective. It's all baseless. Our approach should be factual, and presently, we're still collecting those facts."
The crash's reasons remain under wraps. Yet, speculations are rife due to Prigozhin's history of rebellion against the Russian military establishment earlier in June. Although this uprising was quelled and Prigozhin subsequently took refuge in Belarus, he remained actively engaged in his catering business within Russian territory.
Putin, who was silent initially, eventually commented on the tragedy and Prigozhin's potential death. During a televised session from the Kremlin, Putin termed Prigozhin—a previous associate—as a "man of a complicated destiny" who committed "grave errors." Extending his condolences to the victims' kin, Putin remarked, "Such events are always heart-wrenching." He added, based on initial reports, that other members from the Wagner Group might have been aboard that plane.
Yet, skepticism persists, especially among Western nations. A significant chunk of the international community finds it hard to believe that Putin had no role in this calamity.
The UK Ministry of Defense, in an official statement, asserted that there's a high probability of Prigozhin's demise in the crash. However, they clarified that no conclusive evidence confirms his presence on that flight. Concurrently, US officials have hinted at their inclinations, suspecting Putin's hand behind the tragic event.
For many, a directive from Putin ordering the assassination seems to be the most plausible explanation for the unforeseen and suspicious circumstances surrounding Wednesday's plane crash.