Evgeny Pregosian, the head of the Wagner Group, a private military company often seen as an arm of the Russian state, was reported dead. His private jet crashed on its way from Moscow to Saint Petersburg, and all 10 people on board were killed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with speculation ranging from an accident to foul play.
Pregosian was known for leading a short-lived mutiny against the Russian state in June, which was the biggest threat he'd ever faced. However, Putin appeared to be furious with him, but smoothed things over quickly. It seemed like Pregosian had been forgiven and Wagner Group operations continued as usual.
Pregosian's death could either strengthen or weaken Putin. Some see it as a message of strength, reinforcing Putin's position as the strong man. Others argue that it doesn't solve Putin's problems, such as the struggling economy and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Wagner Group, led by Pregosian, is not just a mercenary group. It's also a logging company and an information communication company. It's involved in many conflicts, including in Syria and Ukraine, but has honed its business model in Africa. With Pregosian's death, the group's future is uncertain. It's unclear who could replace him, as another senior Wagner leader, Dmitry Uken, was also reported to be on the same plane.
The Wagner Group has been decapitated with Pregosian's death, which could be a serious handicap for their future activities. It's unclear whether this is the end of the group itself or just the end of its current leadership. It's expected that control of it may change, but its use as a tool by the Russian Foreign Service in the military is not expected to disappear.
1. Evgeny Pregosian, the boss of the Wagner group, has been reported dead.
2. Russian authorities state that Pregosian was on a jet that crashed on its way from Moscow to Saint Petersburg.
3. This crash occurred exactly two months after Pregosian led his Wagner forces in a short-lived mutiny against the Russian state.
4. There's speculation that foul play was involved in the plane crash due to Pregosian's notoriety.
5. The private jet was registered to Pregosian and had 10 people listed as being on board, including three crew.
6. The plane crashed about 30 minutes into the flight, and everyone on board was killed.
7. The Russia Aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but it remains unclear whether it was an accident or if foul play was involved.
8. Some speculate that the Russian state, with Putin's backing, played a role in bringing down the plane.
9. The mutiny led by Pregosian in June was the biggest threat Putin had ever faced to his authority.
10. After about 24 hours, Pregosian called off the mutiny in a deal brokered by the president of Belarus.
11. Despite the huge challenge to his power, it appeared like things had been smoothed over and Pregosian had been forgiven.
12. Pregosian's Wagner forces have led a lot of the fighting for Russia and Ukraine up until that mutiny in June.
13. There's a theory that the Russian state, with Putin's backing, played a role in bringing down the plane.
14. President Putin expressed condolences and praised Pregosian as a talented businessman after the crash.
15. Some Russian commentators have suggested that Ukraine could have been involved in the plane crash, although Ukrainian authorities and President Zelenski deny this.
16. The Wagner group is not just a mercenary group; it's also a logging company, an information communication company, and a mining company.
17. The Wagner group has been decapitated with the loss of Pregosian and another senior Wagner leader, Dmitry Uken, who was also reported to be on the same plane.
18. A memorial to Pregosian has appeared outside the Wagner building in St Petersburg.