Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian mercenary leader who led a failed coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year, was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday, according to TASS, a Russian news agency.
The Federal Agency for Air Transport of Russia launched an investigation into the crash that took place in the Tver Region.
“An investigation of the Embraer plane crash that happened in the Tver Region this evening was initiated. According to the passenger list, first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list,” the agency said.
“The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has announced that an Investigation has been launched to determine the “Cause” of the Aircraft Crash in the Tver Region which Killed all 10 Passengers onboard including Yevgeny Prigozhin,” OSINT Defender tweeted along with what is reportedly video of the scene.
In June, the private military company, Wagner Group, headed by Prigozhin, attempted a coup in Russia.
“We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including — from internal betrayal,” Putin said at the time. “And what we are faced with is precisely a betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led to treason.”
Prigozhin pushed back on Putin’s comments, arguing against his accusations of treason.
“Regarding betraying of Motherland – the president is deeply wrong. We are patriots of our Motherland,” Prigozhin said. “We are and have been at war and no one is going to by order of FSB, president or other to subdue – because we do not want our country to further live in corruption, deception and bureaucracy.”
Prigozhin, once a close advisor to Putin, demanded retribution after a catastrophic loss of his forces in a series of strikes by the Russian military targeting his Wagner troops.
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
