Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, has been officially confirmed dead following genetic analysis, according to investigators.
Gatekeepers News reports that the crash of his plane earlier in the week had raised suspicions and prompted speculation about the Kremlin’s potential involvement.
The incident occurred two months after Wagner staged a mutiny against Moscow’s military leadership.
“Molecular-genetic examinations have been completed as part of the investigation into the plane crash in the Tver region,” Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman from Russia’s Investigative Committee said.
“According to their results, the identities of all 10 victims were established, they correspond to the list stated in the flight list,” she added.
Among those on the crashed Embraer private jet was Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure known for managing Wagner’s operations and his alleged service in Russian military intelligence.
Although Russian officials opened an investigation into air traffic violations, details about the crash’s potential cause have not been disclosed.
Amid growing questions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the incident as “tragic” and dismissed rumors of foul play as an “absolute lie.”
Consequently, with a presidential decree on Friday, the Kremlin took steps to rein in groups like Wagner, stipulating that paramilitary fighters must swear an oath to the Russian flag.
While President Vladimir Putin acknowledged his long-standing association with Prigozhin – once a close ally- questions and anger over the mercenary leader’s death persist.
Makeshift memorials to Prigozhin have sprung up in various Russian cities, reflecting a mixture of suspicions and sentiments surrounding his demise.
AFP
