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Putin Announces Discovery of Hand Grenade Shrapnel in Victims of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Plane Crash

by Gabriel Martinez
10 comments
Yevgeny Prigozhin's Plane Crash

On a recent Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed that shrapnel from hand grenades was identified in the bodies of individuals who perished in the plane crash involving Yevgeny Prigozhin on August 23. While investigators have yet to determine that the private jet experienced any “external impact,” Prigozhin, alongside two leading officers of the Wagner private military company, were among the 10 fatalities when the plane plummeted en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

There exists no independent means to corroborate the assertions made by Putin. Preliminary assessments from U.S. intelligence suggest that a deliberate explosion was the cause of the crash. Western authorities have also referenced a comprehensive list of individuals opposing Putin who have met untimely deaths. The Kremlin dismissed allegations implicating Putin in the incident as categorically false.

An internal Russian probe into the incident is underway, although no findings have been made public. Russia declined an offer from Brazil, the country where the Embraer business jet originated, to participate in the investigation.

Though Putin refrained from conclusively identifying the cause of the plane’s downfall, his comments seemed to imply that a grenade explosion may have been responsible.

The failed rebellion led by Prigozhin in June represented a significant threat to Putin’s over two-decade-long reign. The crash occurred precisely two months after the initiation of the insurrection. Furthermore, Putin mentioned that while toxicology tests on the victims are pending, 5 kilograms (approximately 11 pounds) of cocaine were discovered in Prigozhin’s St. Petersburg office subsequent to the failed coup, a fact that appeared to tarnish the reputation of the deceased mercenary leader.

Posthumously, Putin characterized Prigozhin, 62, as a “man of a challenging destiny” who had “committed grave errors in his lifetime.” Prigozhin had been a longstanding ally of Putin, a relationship dating back to the early 1990s that earned him the epithet “Putin’s chef,” owing to profitable catering contracts with the Kremlin.

Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, a private military firm, had operations in various conflict zones, including Ukraine, Syria, and multiple African nations. The group had amassed tens of thousands of soldiers and played a crucial role in Ukrainian hostilities, specifically in the capture of the eastern city of Bakhmut after extensive combat.

In the insurrection that occurred between June 23 and 24, Prigozhin aimed to remove the Defense Ministry’s leadership, whom he held responsible for tactical errors in Ukraine. His forces temporarily seized control of Russia’s southern military base in Rostov-on-Don and advanced towards Moscow, before the mutiny was curtailed under an amnesty agreement. As part of the deal, the insurgents had the option to retire, relocate to Belarus, or enter new contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry.

Last week, Putin convened with a senior commander from Wagner to oversee “volunteer units” participating in the Ukrainian conflict, signaling the Kremlin’s intent to continue employing these mercenary forces post-Prigozhin. Putin also revealed that several thousand Wagner personnel have formalized contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Plane Crash

What did Russian President Vladimir Putin reveal about the plane crash involving Yevgeny Prigozhin?

Vladimir Putin disclosed that shrapnel from hand grenades was found in the bodies of the individuals who died in the plane crash on August 23. The plane was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg and carried 10 passengers, including Prigozhin and two senior officers from the Wagner private military company, all of whom perished in the crash.

Was there any external impact on the plane according to the investigations?

According to Putin, the experts who are investigating the crash found no indication that the private jet had suffered any “external impact.”

What do Western officials and U.S. intelligence say about the crash?

Preliminary assessments from U.S. intelligence agencies have suggested that the crash was caused by a deliberate explosion. Western authorities have also noted a list of individuals who opposed Putin and have met untimely deaths, thereby raising suspicions.

Has Russia released any findings from its internal investigation?

As of now, Russia has not made any findings from its internal investigation public. Russia also declined an offer from Brazil to participate in the investigation of the crash of the Embraer business jet.

What did Putin say about Yevgeny Prigozhin’s character?

After Prigozhin’s death, Putin described him as a “man of a challenging destiny” who had “committed grave errors in his lifetime.”

What role did Prigozhin’s Wagner Group play in geopolitical conflicts?

The Wagner Group, a private military company founded by Prigozhin, has been active in various conflict zones such as Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries. It had amassed tens of thousands of soldiers and played a crucial role in capturing the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

What happened in the failed rebellion led by Prigozhin?

The rebellion led by Prigozhin between June 23 and 24 aimed to oust the Defense Ministry’s leadership. His forces seized control of Russia’s southern military base in Rostov-on-Don and advanced towards Moscow before the rebellion was halted under an amnesty agreement.

What is the Kremlin’s future plan for the Wagner Group?

Last week, Putin met with a senior commander from Wagner to discuss overseeing “volunteer units” participating in the Ukrainian conflict. Putin also revealed that several thousand Wagner personnel have formalized contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, indicating the Kremlin’s intent to continue utilizing these forces.

More about Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Plane Crash

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Official Statement
  • U.S. Intelligence Assessment on Prigozhin’s Plane Crash
  • Wagner Group and its Role in Geopolitical Conflicts
  • Western Officials’ Views on Putin Foes
  • Brazil’s Offer to Participate in Crash Investigation
  • Overview of Prigozhin’s Failed Rebellion
  • Kremlin’s Future Plans for Wagner Group
  • Profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin

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10 comments

PolicyWonk October 5, 2023 - 11:26 pm

If the US intel is pointing towards an intentional explosion, why is Russia not keen on external help for the investigation? makes you think…

Reply
TechNerd October 6, 2023 - 1:51 am

So they found cocaine in Prigozhin’s office too? This story gets wilder by the minute.

Reply
SkepticalSam October 6, 2023 - 2:35 am

Putin says its grenade fragments, but then why no external impact on the plane? Something doesn’t add up.

Reply
GreenActivist October 6, 2023 - 3:24 am

I just hope this incident leads to some actual truth and justice, but Im not holding my breath.

Reply
EconMaven October 6, 2023 - 8:42 am

Can’t help but wonder how this impacts the geopolitical balance. Prigozhin’s Wagner Group was involved in so many conflict zones. This is gonna shake things up.

Reply
JournalistJane October 6, 2023 - 9:52 am

I’ve been following this since day one and every new revelation is more surprising than the last. Cant wait to see where the investigation leads.

Reply
CryptoFan101 October 6, 2023 - 1:09 pm

Seriously, what’s going on here? grenade fragments? That’s a new level of crazy, even for Russia politics.

Reply
JohnDoe42 October 6, 2023 - 3:07 pm

Whoa, this is mind-blowing. If Putin is telling the truth, then this isn’t just some accident, it’s practically an assassination. What’s next?

Reply
FinanceGuru October 6, 2023 - 4:57 pm

This has got to have repercussions on Russian markets, maybe even global ones. Time to keep an eye on the stock market guys.

Reply
AutoEnthusiast October 6, 2023 - 6:48 pm

im not into politics but dang, this reads like a thriller novel. Except it’s real life. scary stuff.

Reply

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