Video: Leader of Russian Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Dies in Plane Crash in Russia
In a tragic turn of events, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the prominent leader of the Russian private military company known as the Wagner Group, has lost his life in a plane crash in Russia. The incident occurred as the aircraft was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Reports indicate that all ten passengers on board have perished in the crash.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, born on June 1, 1961, in what was then Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), had a multifaceted career, starting as a restaurateur and later venturing into diverse fields, including advertising, fashion, and jewelry. However, he gained significant attention for his leadership of the Wagner Group, which provides security, military, and training services both to the Russian armed forces and various armed groups, often participating in covert military operations in regions such as Syria, Ukraine, and Central Africa.
Prigozhin's name has also been linked to allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, specifically through the Internet Research Agency, which he has denied.
As a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin played a role in supporting political and economic initiatives aligned with the Russian government's agenda. His businesses and associates have faced economic sanctions and criminal charges in the United States.
The circumstances surrounding the plane crash are under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.
Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday that the name of the leader of the Russian armed group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was listed among the passengers of the plane that crashed in Russia, resulting in the death of all those on board.
Agencies such as Ria Novosti, TASS, and Interfax quoted the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency "Rosaviatsiya," stating that the name Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared on the passenger list of this plane, which was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg and crashed, resulting in the death of all ten people on board.
Furthermore, the Russian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, was among the passengers on the crashed plane.
According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the plane that crashed north of Moscow, with Prigozhin on board, was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Social media sites have posted images claiming to show the plane crash in which Yevgeny Prigozhin was on board.
Yevgeny Prigozhin
is a prominent Russian businessman and figure. He is believed to have been born on June 1, 1961, in Leningrad (known today as St. Petersburg) in the Soviet Union.
Early Life
There isn't much information available about Yevgeny Prigozhin's early life, and his personal details remain private.
Career Path
Yevgeny Prigozhin began his career as a restaurant owner in Russia. He later ventured into various other fields, including advertising, fashion, and jewelry. Subsequently, he moved into the security and private military services sector.
Wagner Group
Yevgeny Prigozhin is believed to lead the "Wagner Group," a Russian private military company that provides security, military, and training services to the Russian armed forces and other armed groups. Its main tasks include deploying fighters in secret military operations in areas such as Syria, Ukraine, and Central Africa.
Allegations of Interference in U.S. Elections: Prigozhin's name has been closely linked to allegations surrounding Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. He was alleged to be behind the "Internet Research Agency," which was accused of orchestrating social media campaigns to influence election outcomes. Yevgeny Prigozhin denied these allegations.
Role in Russian Politics: Yevgeny Prigozhin is considered one of the close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reports have circulated about his role in supporting political and economic projects aligned with the Russian government's agenda.
He owns a group of companies, including those accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. He and his companies and associates have been subject to economic sanctions and criminal charges in the United States.
