MOSCOW – In a long-awaited response, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to the family of Yevgeny Prigozhin on Thursday, addressing the plane crash that claimed the lives of the controversial mercenary leader and his associates. The crash occurred two months after Prigozhin led a mutiny against army chiefs, a move that had threatened to undermine Putin’s authority.
Putin’s remarks, made during a meeting with the chief of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, unveiled a complex mix of feelings regarding Prigozhin’s fate. The comments were the most definitive statement from the Russian leader on the incident, following the aviation authority’s confirmation that Prigozhin was on board the ill-fated plane.
Russian investigators have initiated an inquiry into the crash, yet the exact cause of the sudden fall of the plane northwest of Moscow remains unknown. The identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage have not been officially confirmed.
In the aftermath, U.S. officials have considered various theories, including the possibility of a surface-to-air missile. The U.S. Department of Defense clarified that there is currently no concrete evidence to support the missile theory.
The presumed demise of Yevgeny Prigozhin momentarily strengthens Putin’s position by removing a powerful figure who posed a challenge with his mutinous actions. However, Prigozhin’s absence also deprives Putin of a capable and strategic player, known for his involvement in crucial events such as the Ukraine war and advancing Russian interests in Africa.
The future reactions of Wagner’s fighters, who have already expressed feelings of betrayal and foul play, remain uncertain.
While pledging a thorough investigation, Putin mentioned that “preliminary data” suggests Prigozhin and other Wagner employees were on the crashed plane, along with the core leadership team of Wagner.
Putin portrayed Prigozhin as a talented businessman who could balance personal interests with a sense of duty to the common cause. However, he also acknowledged Prigozhin’s flawed character and mistakes.
“I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. It’s always a tragedy,” Putin stated, reflecting on his long acquaintance with Prigozhin dating back to the 1990s.
The circumstances leading to the plane crash remain shrouded in speculation. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a staunch Putin ally, described Prigozhin as a friend and expressed that he had urged Prigozhin to put aside personal ambitions.
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