Likely Death of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin Amid Plane Crash Investigation, Says UK Defence Ministry

Likely Death of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin Amid Plane Crash Investigation, Says UK Defence Ministry.

In a recent statement, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has indicated that while there is no concrete evidence yet, it is “highly likely” that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, was among the casualties of a fatal plane crash earlier this week.

The crash occurred northwest of Moscow, and though Russian authorities have mentioned Prigozhin’s presence on the passenger list, his death has not been officially confirmed.

The plane’s tragic plunge from the sky took place just two months after Prigozhin led an unsuccessful mutiny against senior military officials.

As Russian investigators delve into the circumstances surrounding the incident, they have initiated a thorough probe. However, they have yet to officially validate the identities of the 10 bodies that have been recovered from the wreckage.

The British Ministry of Defence, in a defense intelligence update shared on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), stated, “There is not yet definitive proof that Prigozhin was onboard and he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. However, it is highly likely that he is indeed dead.”

Furthermore, the ministry highlighted the potential impact of Prigozhin’s alleged demise on the Wagner Group. Prigozhin’s distinct attributes, including hyperactivity, audacity, results-driven mentality, and extreme brutality, had a significant influence on the group.

It is speculated that finding a successor capable of matching his qualities would be a challenge. The statement also underscored the potential leadership void within Wagner, considering reports of the deaths of founder and field commander Dimitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov.

The uncertainties surrounding Prigozhin’s fate and the fallout within the Wagner Group continue to be a subject of international interest, with both Russia and global observers closely monitoring the investigation’s developments.