The fate of Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, has been shrouded in mystery since his fighters, in June, seized Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia and initiated a march toward Moscow that was ultimately abandoned.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, which attempted a mutinous march towards Moscow in June, is believed to have perished in a recent Russian jet crash along with nine others, as reported by Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport.
While the agency has identified Prigozhin as a passenger, there’s no confirmation from NBC News on this matter. Nonetheless, if proven true, it marks a sudden and astonishing conclusion for Prigozhin—once an ally of President Vladimir Putin and a prominent figure in global conflict—whose group played roles in Ukraine, Syria, Mali, and other nations.
An official from a Western nation disclosed that U.S. and European allies are cross-referencing assessments to obtain clarity about the crash. According to emergency services cited by the Interfax agency, the remains of all ten individuals on board the Embraer Legacy jet have been discovered.
A published passenger list on Telegram also includes Dmitry Utkin, another key Wagner figure, suggesting a significant blow to the organization’s leadership. Shortly after the crash, a Wagner Group-associated Telegram channel proclaimed Prigozhin’s death.
A message from the Grey Zone, an account with over 550,000 subscribers known for sharing Prigozhin-related content, read, “The head of the Wagner Group, Hero of Russia, a true patriot of his Motherland, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, died as a result of actions by traitors of Russia.”
Russian officials were not immediately available for comment, but state media reported that an official investigation had been initiated.
Keir Giles, a Russia expert at the think tank Chatham House, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about Prigozhin’s death due to the complex nature of his movements.
Prigozhin’s whereabouts have remained unknown since his fighters captured Rostov-on-Don two months ago and commenced their march towards Moscow, halting about 120 miles south of the capital. Reportedly, Prigozhin and Putin brokered a deal through Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The agreement stipulated Prigozhin’s exile to Belarus and options for Wagner fighters to join him or engage with the Russian Defense Ministry.
Despite calling Wagner’s actions treason and initiating a criminal investigation, the Kremlin’s response to Prigozhin’s challenge has puzzled observers.
Leading up to the mutiny that rattled Putin’s authority, Prigozhin openly criticized Russia’s military leadership for their performance in the Ukraine conflict, where Wagner played a pivotal role.
Prigozhin garnered support from Russian hardliners advocating for more extensive use of force in Ukraine, posing a challenge to Putin.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern about Prigozhin’s situation during the Aspen Security Forum, indicating a potential reckoning for him.
Formerly known as Putin’s “chef,” Prigozhin had denied leading the Wagner Group. However, his prominence grew as his fighters engaged in high-profile conflicts, and he embraced a more public role.
A recently surfaced video seemingly portrayed Prigozhin in military attire, speaking of advancing Africa’s freedom and enhancing Russia’s global influence. NBC News couldn’t authenticate the video’s content, timing, or location.
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