Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed dead after a plane crash outside Moscow

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of a mercenary group, is believed to have perished in a plane crash near Moscow. The crash claimed the lives of all 10 individuals on board, including Prigozhin. His presence on the flight was confirmed by Russia’s civil aviation agency and the airline itself. This incident has raised suspicions due to the ongoing speculation surrounding Prigozhin’s fate following his involvement in a brief armed uprising against the Russian military earlier this year.

The rebellion, led by Prigozhin, was swiftly denounced by President Vladimir Putin as an act of “treason” and a “stab in the back.” However, the charges against Prigozhin were eventually dropped, and he was permitted to withdraw to Belarus. He continued to make intermittent appearances in Russia, keeping his activities shrouded in mystery.

The crash coincides with reports of the dismissal of a high-ranking general associated with Prigozhin from his position as the commander of the air force. The plane, which was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, went down approximately 300 kilometers north of Moscow, as reported by Russia’s state news agency Tass.

Although doubts were initially cast on reports of Prigozhin’s demise due to his history of obfuscating his movements, various sources and evidence seem to corroborate his presence on the ill-fated flight. Flight tracking data showed that a private jet connected to Prigozhin took off from Moscow and subsequently lost its transponder signal.

Videos and images from the scene indicated a sudden descent and an appearance of an explosion mid-flight, possibly indicating severe damage to the aircraft. While Prigozhin’s death may not significantly impact Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, where his forces were engaged in intense battles, it could be interpreted as an act of vengeance by the Kremlin, signaling a lesson to potential followers.

Tatiana Stanovaya, an analyst at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, suggests that Prigozhin’s death could be perceived as retribution and a necessary step to eliminate potential threats to the authorities. Despite the circumstances, public outcry is anticipated to be limited, as supporters may be deterred from protesting, viewing the outcome as deserved.

In summary, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s presumed demise in the plane crash near Moscow has generated considerable interest due to his past actions and the enigmatic nature of his activities. While further investigations are likely, the incident carries significant political implications within Russia’s context.

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