Wagner Boss Presumed Dead in Russian Plane Crash

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Image copyright: Kremlin Press Office [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

  • The head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, which in June launched a short-lived mutiny against Russia, is believed to be among 10 dead after a private jet crashed in the Tver region near Moscow on Wednesday.

  • While the death of the 62-year-old was yet to be officially confirmed, Russia's aviation regulator said he was named on the passenger list.

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The Spin

Pro-Russia narrative

The cause of this fatal crash is yet to be determined. Law enforcement officers are on the scene and an official investigation has been launched. Beyond that, not much can — or should — be stated, other than Yevgevny Prigozhin is believed to be among the 10 killed in the crash.

TASS

Anti-Russia narrative

The Russian state had plenty of reasons to take out Yevgevny Prigozhin, least of all after his failed uprising that embarrassed Russia. While the details of this crash are not fully confirmed, it would be unsurprising if it was, in fact, a deliberate sabotage.

Guardian

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