The Gnostic Observer

The Financial Times reports that a plane carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is widely recognized as one of the founders of the Russian private military company Wagner, was involved in a fatal accident. The plane was bound from Moscow to St. Petersburg, and Russian officials confirmed that all ten passengers, including Prigozhin, died in the crash. Although it had not been unusual for the billionaire businessman to travel by air regularly, Prigozhin’s death would have symbolized a momentous conclusion to his career. It was claimed that Russian anti-aircraft defences had shot the plane down, and Mash news outlets on Telegram mentioned that locals heard two loud bangs before the crash.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused in the past of having a hand in the deaths of Russian oligarchs, generals, scientists, and other high-profile individuals, who have been disappearing mysteriously, according to experts. Putin’s latest excursion into Ukraine seems to have birthed a pushback from his opponents and ultra-nationalistic figures, who have begun to express their dissatisfaction. They have faced life-threatening situations from the Russian government, with death resulting for those who challenged Putin’s enigmatic rule, including oligarch Sergey Grishin, known as “Scarface,” and scientist Andrey Botikov. Former Military Intelligence Officer Jon Sweet and national security analyst Mark Toth suggest that Putin’s violent streak is comparable to Murder Inc., an organised crime group that was accused of killing 1,000 people in the US during the 1930s. It is possible that the aircraft incident involving Yevgeny Prigozhin is yet another example of Putin’s potential involvement in an assassination plot against those he considers to be threats to his dominance.

In July, the Guardian reported that Putin stated that he said that he tried to have Prigozhin replaced as Wagner chief in Ukraine after the mercenary chief staged a mutiny back in July. Additionally, the Kremlin-controlled media outlets continued to broadcast reports about Prigozhin’s alleged corruption and the inefficiency of his businesses in an attempt to discredit him further. The article also notes that the value of Wagner’s contracts with Russian military bases in foreign countries could make them a valuable prize for Putin if he can gain control of them from Prigozhin.

It is not yet clear what impact Prigozhin’s death will have on the role of Wagner in the war in Ukraine, but the company has already been largely sidelined in the conflict. However, the fighters remain stationed in the country and could potentially be used in combat operations. Overall, the death of Prigozhin and the ongoing conflict between Putin and his opponents raise questions about the future of Russia and the stability of the region. It is important for the international community to closely monitor the situation and protect democracy and human rights in the region.