The internet has exploded with an avalanche breaking reports that Wagner chief Yvgeny Prigozhin’s business jet has crashed over Russia’s Tver region, northwest of Moscow.
Unconfirmed reports say anywhere from seven to ten people were on board, all presumed dead – but it was initially unclear if Prigozhin himself was on board at the time. Russian media sources are now confirming that he was on board the downed plane, and is presumed dead.
TASS says the crashed business jet was on its way from Moscow to St. Petersburg. pic.twitter.com/u3gAjOkY3B
— Rag?p Soylu (@ragipsoylu) August 23, 2023
This has led to immediate speculation that the private plane could have been shot down upon Putin’s orders (or people in the military command placed a bomb?).
The Kremlin has quickly issued confirmation that the aircraft did indeed belong to the controversial Wagner leader who led a mutiny against the defense ministry June 23-24. Per official news wires out of Russia
- RUSSIA SAYS 10 PEOPLE KILLED AFTER PRIVATE JET CRASHES IN TVER REGION NORTH OF MOSCOW
- RUSSIA SAYS EVGENY PRIGOZHIN COULD BE ON BOARD OF PLANE THAT CRASHED IN TVER REGION NORTH OF MOSCOW – TASS
Russia Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with registration number RA-02795 crashed. This board belonged to the team of Yevgeny Prigozhin and was repeatedly seen in Belarus. pic.twitter.com/DPk9Q8tDaR
— Getty (@region776) August 23, 2023
Russian official sources are confirming, including RT…
KOMMERSANT: PRIGOZHIN HAS DIED IN THE PLANE CRASH IN RUSSIA’S TVER, RUSSIA’S FEDERAL AIR TRANSPORT AGENCY SAYS
Below is another video widely circulating of what is purported to be the Wagner chief’s plane going down. A plume of smoke is seen hovering midair as the aircraft plummets straight down, strongly suggesting either a missile shot it down or a midair bombing.
?? ???????, ??????? ???????? ? ???????? ???????, ??????????? ??????? ?????????, ?????????? ??????? Baza ? ??????????? ?????? ??????. ?? ????? ??????-????? Embraer, ??? ????????????, ???? 7 ???????, ??? ???????.
?????: ??????? pic.twitter.com/EzyZ3PbVT8
— ??? (@echofm_online) August 23, 2023
On-ground videos of the burning crash site have quickly circulated, included very graphic ones (not shown).
Prigozhin’s personal jet crashed near Tver. Prigozhin and 10 other people including Wagner Commander Dmitry (Wagner) Utkin reportedly have died. The jet was flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg pic.twitter.com/zsjLG0tbsa
— Giorgi Revishvili (@revishvilig) August 23, 2023
State news outlet RT writes in an update:
A private jet traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed on Wednesday in Russia’s Tver Region. The Russian Emergencies Ministry said all 10 people on board had died. Rosaviation has since said that Evgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Private Military Company, was listed among the passengers.
But then again…
??Reports that Prigozhin’s second aircraft is currently maneuvering over Moscow. pic.twitter.com/AZM7NfQulM
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) August 23, 2023
There are emerging reports that Russia’s security services are investigating whether Prigozhin’s jet crashed due to a terrorist attack.
This is a good moment to recall Joe Biden’s words on Yevgeny Prigozhin, issued July 13, 2023: “If I were he, I’d be careful what I ate. I’d be keeping my eye on my menu.”
developing…
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