Washington: An initial assessment by US intelligence has concluded that the plane crash, which was believed to have resulted in the death of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, was deliberately caused by an explosion.
This explosion is in line with Russian President Vladimir Putin's history of silencing his critics. Officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that Prigozhin was likely targeted due to his challenge to Putin's authority. However, no specific details were provided regarding the cause of the explosion.
Pentagon spokesperson Gen. Pat Ryder dismissed reports of a surface-to-air missile bringing down the plane and refrained from confirming whether a bomb was suspected. Putin expressed condolences to the families of the crash victims while referencing "serious mistakes" made by Prigozhin.
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The crash involved a jet carrying Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner military company, and six other passengers. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Moscow. While some sources claimed Prigozhin's death, there was no official confirmation.
US President Joe Biden indicated his belief that Putin was behind the crash, though he lacked verified information. He noted that much in Russia occurs with Putin's involvement. The plane's passenger list included Prigozhin's second-in-command, Wagner's logistics chief, and a fighter previously injured by US airstrikes in Syria.
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The reasons for several high-ranking Wagner members to be on the same flight were unclear. They were en route to St. Petersburg for an unknown purpose. In response to the crash, supporters created a makeshift memorial at Wagner's headquarters in St. Petersburg.
Putin acknowledged the passengers' contributions to the conflict in Ukraine and expressed familiarity with Prigozhin, describing him as a talented yet flawed individual. Russian media focused on Putin's remarks at a summit and the Ukraine invasion, rather than extensively covering the crash.
The crash's cause remains under investigation, with reports suggesting the bodies were badly burned or disfigured. Supporters on messaging apps speculated that the plane was intentionally downed, potentially by a missile or an onboard bomb.
Russian officials and figures commented on Prigozhin's history and enemies, suggesting he might have accumulated adversaries. Observers compared the incident to other unexplained deaths in Russia linked to the Kremlin.
In the past, Putin tolerated internal conflict within Wagner, but the recent mutiny escalated the situation. Putin negotiated a deal to end the mutiny, granting amnesty to Prigozhin and his mercenaries.
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The Institute for the Study of War suggested Russian authorities acted to eliminate Wagner as an independent entity. A former Putin speechwriter, now a political consultant, believed that Prigozhin's mutiny warranted a response to discourage future challenges.
Videos circulated on pro-Wagner channels showed the plane plummeting with visible damage. An analysis of these videos was consistent with a mid-flight explosion.