The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that all possible versions of the plane crash of the founder of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in the Tver region, north of Moscow, will be thoroughly investigated.
The Russian Investigative Committee said that during preliminary investigations at the crash site, the bodies of 10 dead people were found, and genetic tests are being conducted to determine their identities.
The committee found recording devices operating during flight (the two black boxes), and a thorough examination of the place continues, and important objects and documents are preserved to determine all the circumstances of the accident.
And the Russian Civil Aviation Authority reported last Wednesday that there were ten people, including three crew members , on board the plane that crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow, on Wednesday, noting that all of them were killed.
The Russian authority confirmed the presence of Prigozhin and the second man in the Wagner Group, Dmitry Utkin, on board.
Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin killed in plane crash: the end of a staunch rival for Russian President Vladimir Putin
His death will pose greater challenges for Russia
Various Russian media have confirmed the killing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the commander of the Russian private military Wagner Group, whose star shone in recent months through Wagner's successes in Africa and its role in field battles during the war in Ukraine.
But the most prominent appearance of Prigozhin was during the rebellion of his forces against the Russian forces and their direction from the Ukrainian front to the capital, Moscow, before he retreated and stopped the progress of his forces and then transferred later to Belarus in a settlement formula aimed at surrounding the rebellion and preventing the West from benefiting from any tension inside Russia.
That move sent a clear signal that Prigozhin, who was Russian President Vladimir Putin's friend, cook, and owner of secrets, is the only strong competitor to the Russian president, and his end in the plane crash would mean the end of a strong competitor whose presence would have troubled Putin, especially after Wagner's growing power and influence at home and abroad. .
And the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport announced the opening of an investigation into the crash of the “Embraer” plane in Tver Province, which included Prigozhin, among its passengers.
Prigozhin, who was Putin's friend and cook, has turned into a strong rival following Wagner's growing power and influence at home and abroad.
According to the Russian agency Sputnik, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that the governor of the Tver region, Igor Rudinia, took control of the situation after the plane crash.
The region's government stated that law enforcement officers and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are present at the scene, and are determining the details of the accident, as well as the number of deaths.
And the Russian Civil Aviation Authority announced on Wednesday that Prigozhin was on the passenger list of the private plane that crashed, killing 10 people.
And RT Arabia reported that Prigozhin died in the crash of the private plane that was carrying him from Moscow to St. Petersburg, according to what was announced by the Russian Civil Aviation Authority.
The statement of the press office of the Russian Civil Aviation Authority indicated that “the plane, which is an 'Embraer' model, was on a flight from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow to the city of St. Petersburg. There were 3 pilots and 7 passengers on board. And they all died.”
There is no doubt that the killing of Prigozhin, which may relieve the nerves of Putin and the army leaders from a provocative man, will pose greater challenges to Russia, especially after the great gains made by the Wagner Group in Africa and what is attributed to it of standing behind the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and its competition with French influence.
The conflict in Ukraine provided Prigozhin with a golden opportunity to step into the limelight after working for years in the shadows, to impose himself as a major player in Russia.
It is not known whether Moscow will seek to fill the vacuum and openly appoint a new leader for Wagner and keep it as one of its strong cards, or will let the group choose a leader of its own, an option that could lead to internal disputes.
It is logical that Wagner loses its luster with the departure of its leader, who appeared strongly in May 2023 after fierce and bloody battles, declaring Wagner's control of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, celebrating a rare victory for Russian forces on the battlefield.
However, during this battle, tension also intensified between the group and the Russian army staff. Prigozhin accuses the commission of depriving Wagner of ammunition and multiplies the video clips in which he insults the Russian military leaders.
Unlike the Russian generals who are known to be off the field and unconcerned for the welfare of their troops, Prigozhin was integrated into the group, handing out medals and joking around with his men.
He does not shy away from showing some brutality; When a video emerged showing the execution of a deserter with a sledgehammer, Prigozhin praised the killing of the man he called a "dog".
But his increasing presence and criticism of the army is causing resentment in Moscow. Tensions emerged last month when Prigozhin and the General Staff separately announced the capture of Solidar near Bakhmut. He then attacked "those who constantly seek to steal our victories".
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