Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised many in the international community when he praised mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin as a talented businessman, just a day after a plane crash that claimed the lives of all 10 people on board. Prigozhin, who was behind the Wagner private military company, was a key player in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and his death has sent shockwaves across the globe. Putin’s comments, made during a televised address, seemed to contradict the previous stance of the Russian government, which had sought to distance itself from Prigozhin and his actions.
However, in his statement, Putin appeared to be paying respects to Prigozhin’s business acumen, stating that he wished to express sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash. The Russian leader also emphasized the importance of awaiting the outcome of the official investigation into the tragic event, which is expected to take some time. The investigation is being led by Russia’s civil aviation agency, which has confirmed that Prigozhin and six top lieutenants from his company were on board the business jet that crashed shortly after takeoff from Moscow.
The jet, which was crewed by three members of the flight team, crashed just a short distance from the runway, and rescuers quickly found all 10 bodies. Sources within Prigozhin’s Wagner company have confirmed his death, sparking widespread speculation about the circumstances surrounding the crash and the implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin (Via Vladimir Putin/Twitter)
Prigozhin’s death has sent shockwaves across the international community, with many Western officials expressing relief and others condemning the loss of life. The US, in particular, has long regarded Prigozhin as a key target, given his history of involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and his alleged connections to Russian intelligence agencies. Despite efforts to distance himself from Prigozhin in the past, Putin’s praise for the mercenary chief has raised questions about the extent of their relationship.
In the past, Prigozhin had been a key player in the mutiny that took place in June, in which a group of Russian mercenaries attempted to overthrow the government. The uprising was quickly put down, and Prigozhin’s fate was left in limbo, with many assuming that he would be targeted by the Russian authorities. However, in the days that followed, Putin announced a deal that would drop charges against Prigozhin in exchange for his cooperation with the government.
The deal was widely seen as a concession to Prigozhin’s powerful connections within the Russian military and his influence over the Wagner company. However, with his death now confirmed, it remains to be seen what implications this will have for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader dynamics of international relations.
Keyword: Yevgeny Prigozhin
