Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and reflected on the life of Yevgeny Prighozin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash. The crash, which occurred in the Tver region while Prighozin and nine others were en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, has raised questions and sparked speculation about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a television address, Putin referred to Prighozin as a man with a “complicated fate” who had made significant errors in his life but also achieved noteworthy results. The President’s comments come amid widespread interest in the crash, which also claimed the life of Dmitry Utkin, Prighozin’s right-hand man and a figure tied to Wagner’s operations.
Prighozin, once a personal chef and confidant of Putin, led a rebellion against the Russian government a couple of months ago, fueled by dissatisfaction with the Kremlin’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine. The mutiny, however, was short-lived and unsuccessful.
Putin expressed his familiarity with Prighozin, dating back to the early ’90s, and acknowledged the billionaire’s ventures both in Russia and abroad, particularly his business contracts in Africa. The President also noted that preliminary investigations indicated that the passengers on the crashed flight were connected to the Wagner company.
The Wagner Group, known for its involvement in various conflicts, had a shared cause with Putin’s government, although it had moments of tension and confrontation. The circumstances surrounding the crash have raised suspicions, with Western leaders expressing doubts about its accidental nature.
Prighozin’s legacy includes recruiting Russian convicts to fight in Ukraine through the Wagner Group, a move that gained notoriety for its brutality. While his death leaves questions about the group’s future and involvement in Africa, it also brings attention to broader concerns about Russia’s internal dynamics and international actions.
