KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has leveled serious accusations against Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging his involvement in the fatal plane crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, which occurred last month.
Zelensky made these allegations during a recent speech, stating, “He killed Prigozhin, at least we all have this information and not any other.”
The tragic incident took place on August 23 when a plane traveling from Moscow to Saint Petersburg crashed, resulting in the loss of Yevgeny Prigozhin and nine others. Prigozhin had been a prominent figure known for leading the Wagner group, and his death marked a significant development.
Wagner Chief Defies Russian Military High Command
Notably, two months prior to the plane crash, Prigozhin openly defied Russia’s military high command by leading a brief mutiny with his fighters. This mutiny posed a substantial challenge to Vladimir Putin’s leadership and created a situation that could have escalated into civil conflict. However, Prigozhin terminated the rebellion after apparently reaching an agreement with the Kremlin through mediation facilitated by Belarus. Remarkably, he faced no criminal charges in the aftermath.
Speculation has arisen that the plane crash might be connected to the Wagner group’s audacious march on Moscow in June. Nevertheless, the Kremlin has consistently denied any orchestrated involvement in the crash as an act of retaliation.
Russian investigators have taken up the case, indicating that they are examining all possible scenarios surrounding the plane crash, including the possibility of premeditated murder.
