On this picture taken from video launched on August 21, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the proprietor of the Wagner Group army firm speaks to a digicam at an unknown location. Photograph: Razgruzka_Vagnera telegram channel through AP
Russian state-run information businesses on Wednesday stated that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the top of the Wagner group that led a mutiny in opposition to Russia’s military in June, was on the checklist of passengers of a airplane that crashed.
“The airplane that crashed within the Tver Area listed Yevgeny Prigozhin amongst its passengers, (Russia’s aviation company) Rosaviatsia stated,” TASS information company reported, with RIA Novosti and Interfax issuing related studies.
“There have been 10 individuals on board, together with 3 crew members. Based on preliminary data, all these on board died,” Russia’s ministry for emergency scenario had stated shortly earlier than.
Round 1700 GMT the ministry introduced {that a} “personal Embraer Legacy plane travelling from Moscow to Saint Petersburg crashed close to the village of Kuzhenkino within the Tver Area.”
It stated it was conducting search operations.
Movies on Telegram channels linked to Wagner posted footage — that AFP couldn’t independently affirm— displaying the wreckage of airplane burning in a area.
In June Prigozhin led a short-lived rebel in opposition to Russia’s typical military with 1000’s of mercenaries taking on weapons and marching from southern Russia in the direction of Moscow with the purpose of toppling the nation’s army leaders.
Additionally learn: Defined | Understanding the Wagner mutiny
The mutiny ended with a deal, mediated by Belarusian chief Alexander Lukashenko, underneath which Prigozhin was anticipated to maneuver to neighbouring Belarus with a few of his males.
He since then refused to cede command of Wagner, however principally stayed out of the general public eye.
On Monday, video circulated displaying him apparently in Africa, which he vowed to make “freer”.
