Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s name was once again on the front page of every major publication last week. However, this time the coverage dealt not with his fierce criticism of the Russian military leadership or the fallout from the attempted coup, but with the circumstances of a plane crash that killed Prigozhin, another Wagner Group leader, Dmitry Utkin, as well as other passengers aboard the plane.
Russian authorities did not confirm Prigozhin’s death until the DNA results were verified on Sunday, August 27. However, Reuters reported that “authorities have yet to say what they believe caused the private jet to fall from the sky.”
Journalists, commentators, and analysts floated numerous ideas as to what might have caused the crash and whether this was an accident or a planned assassination.
Many have cited Russia’s state-run “Rossiya 1” documentary featuring Vladimir Putin, in which he said he can forgive many things, but not “betrayal.” This led many to believe that Vladimir Putin personally ordered Prigozhin’s assassination. At the same time, a few days after the plane crash, Putin confirmed that Prigozhin was on a plane, gave his condolences to Prigozhin’s family and his close ones, and praised his leadership, as well as “difficult fate.”
Among various theories as to the cause of the plane crash was the detonation of explosives brought onto the plane by the Wagner Group members themselves.
Other analysts suggested that the plane could have been shut down by a surface-to-air missile, suggesting that the Russian air force may also hold a grudge against Prigozhin after his Wagner Group killed 13 Russian Air Force personnel during the June 2023 short-lived mutiny attempt. However, the Financial Times later reported that a U.S. intelligence report suggested that the plane was not downed by a surface-to-air missile.
Prigozhin was popular among ordinary Russians and had a very loyal following among Wagner Group mercenaries. Some commentators raised concerns about a possible new uprising of the Wagner group, seeking to avenge the deaths of their leadership.
The funeral for the Wagner Group leader was held in a private ceremony in St. Petersburg. Reportedly dozens of people attended the burial. Vladimir Putin did not attend the ceremony.
Russia “will not conduct an investigation under international rules.” However, authorities said they would conduct an internal investigation.
In the meantime, as reported by the Financial Times, Chechnya’s strongman Ramzan Kadyrov is already rushing to display his allegiance to Putin, making social media posts saying he is ready to “die for” Putin and is prepared to be his “foot soldier.”
