Russian Investigator Confirms Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Death in Plane Crash
Russian investigators have announced the confirmation of the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the mercenary group Wagner, in a plane crash earlier this week. The confirmation was made through genetic testing conducted on the victims of the crash.
According to Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, forensic testing has positively identified all 10 bodies recovered from the crash site. The findings “conform to the manifest” of the plane, Petrenko stated in a press release on Sunday. However, no details regarding the cause of the crash have been provided in the statement.
Just a few days ago, Russia’s civil aviation authority revealed that Prigozhin, along with some of his top lieutenants, was on the list of the passengers and crew members aboard the ill-fated plane. The crash occurred shortly after Prigozhin, 62, led a mutiny against Russia’s military, an act that President Vladimir Putin referred to as “treason.”
President Putin himself expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on Thursday. He praised Prigozhin as a talented businessman who had achieved significant results not only in Russia but also internationally, particularly in Africa.
Yevgeny Prigozhin established Wagner, a private military company that has been involved in various conflicts around the world, including Syria and Ukraine. The organization has been accused of carrying out covert activities on behalf of the Russian government. Prigozhin’s death marks the end of a controversial and eventful life, leaving many questioning the circumstances surrounding the plane crash. Further investigation is expected to uncover more details in due course.