Wegner Chief, Who Revolted Against Putin, Dies in Plane Crash

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, which in June attempted to topple Russia’s military leadership, died in a plane crash on Wednesday. According to Russian officials, all 10 people in the plane including three crew members were killed.

Prigozhin, who initiated a short-lived rebellion was being considered as the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia’s ministry for Emergency Situations on Wednesday announced the crash of this private plane traveling between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said it opened an investigation into the crash.

Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said on social media that the plane crash was “a signal from Putin to Russia’s elites ahead of the 2024 elections. ‘Beware! Disloyalty equals death’.”

Prigozhin’s mutiny ended with a deal, mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, under which Prigozhin was expected to move to neighbouring Belarus with some of his men.