The leader of a Russian mercenary group who attempted a coup against Moscow was listed as being on board a plane that reportedly crashed, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia’s Wagner Group, was among ten other passengers aboard a private jet that crashed near Moscow, according to Reuters. Prigozhin led his forces in a mutiny against Moscow in June in protest against Russian military brass and President Vladimir Putin.
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Embraer Legacy 600 jet crashed in Russia’s Tver region, killing Prigozhin and 9 other people.
The same jet was recently in Mali, just like Prigozhin!
pic.twitter.com/17CwMusgYH— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 23, 2023
The Wagner-linked Telegram channel “Grey Zone” also reported that Prigozhin died in the crash, as well as Dmitry Utkin, one of Prigozhin’s Wagner personnel.
“An investigation has been launched into the Embraer plane crash that occurred tonight in the Tver region. According to the passenger list, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin,” Russia’s aviation authority said, according to Reuters.
Seven other passengers and three crew members were aboard the crashed plane, according to Reuters. (RELATED: Biden Forgets Which Country Putin Invaded In Latest Gaffe)
Prigozhin led the Wagner group in a coup against Moscow in late June, citing frustrations that Russia’s top military brass started the war in Ukraine for self-indulgent purposes and took credit for Wagner’s victories. Wagner forces agreed to halt their efforts roughly 24 hours after the coup began, after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to grant Prigozhin and his forces amnesty.
Putin had previously called the Wagner mutiny “betrayal” and “treason,” and said those involved would “suffer inevitable punishment.”
U.S. President Joe Biden hinted in July that Prigozhin should be wary of attempts on his life following the coup’s failure, according to Politico.
“If I were he I’d be careful what I ate. I’d keep my eye on my menu,” Biden said.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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