In an elaborate rebuttal, the Kremlin quashed swirling rumors of orchestrating the demise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, who is presumed to have perished in a plane crash. This incident transpired a mere two months subsequent to Prigozhin’s leadership of an audacious mutiny within Russia. Furthermore, the Kremlin has issued a decree mandating an oath to the Russian flag for paramilitary fighters, a measure aimed at reining in groups akin to Wagner in the aftermath of the uprising.
The conjecture regarding Kremlin involvement in the plane crash gained momentum, particularly since Wednesday, when a private jet purportedly carrying Prigozhin tragically crashed on a route connecting Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Western nations, Kremlin detractors, and even certain pro-Kremlin entities have voiced these suspicions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the incident with reporters on Friday, acknowledging the pervading discourse surrounding foul play and potential official involvement. He deemed these speculations emanating from Western quarters as a concoction of “absolute lie.” Peskov urged patience and underscored the ongoing investigative endeavors that would eventually unveil the factual details surrounding the calamitous crash.
While Russian officials have initiated an inquiry into air traffic infractions, they have refrained from divulging specific details about the probe or the incident itself.
President Vladimir Putin, breaking his silence on Thursday, expressed condolences to the families of the 10 individuals on board, referring to the incident as a “tragedy.” He acknowledged Prigozhin’s involvement in the mutiny and alluded to his “serious mistakes” and a “complicated fate.”
The precipitous but tumultuous unrest orchestrated by Prigozhin had been perceived by analysts as a significant challenge to Putin’s enduring authority.
Pending formal identification of Prigozhin’s status among the victims, the Kremlin has refrained from confirming his death. Putin, employing the past tense to reference him, while Peskov indicated that efforts are underway to authenticate Prigozhin’s presence among the deceased.
Ascertaining the date for Prigozhin’s funeral remains elusive, given the current demands of Putin’s schedule.
This incident has also raised questions due to its timing, occurring precisely two months after the mutiny. Moscow moved swiftly to disarm Wagner following the mutiny, culminating in the group’s weaponry being transferred to the defense ministry. Putin’s decree signed on Friday is targeted at fostering “spiritual and moral foundations for the defense of the Russian Federation.”
With Prigozhin’s apparent demise, the fate of his private army, Wagner, renowned for its role in conflicts such as the Ukraine offensive and African theaters, hangs in the balance. Accused by international NGOs and UN-mandated experts of war crimes, Wagner’s trajectory remains uncertain.
In the aftermath of the mutiny, Moscow adroitly aimed its critique at Prigozhin while avoiding reproach of his fighters, who earned acclaim for their contributions in pivotal Ukrainian battles. The valor displayed by these fighters has not gone unnoticed, with President Putin himself acknowledging their heroism.
As part of the arrangement that concluded the mutiny, Wagner fighters found refuge in neighboring Belarus. Prigozhin, even post-mutiny, retained a degree of popularity among nationalist-leaning segments of Russia’s populace.