MOSCOW, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Russian authorities announced on Sunday that genetic tests have definitively established the demise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, among the casualties of a plane crash that occurred last week. The crash took place in the Tver region northwest of Moscow, and the roster of all 10 individuals on the ill-fated private jet, including Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, his close associate and co-founder of the Wagner group, had previously been disclosed by Russia's aviation agency.
In a statement shared on the Telegram messaging app, Russia's Investigative Committee detailed the completion of molecular-genetic examinations as part of the plane crash investigation in the Tver region. The statement read, "According to the findings, the identities of all 10 deceased individuals have been confirmed. Their identities align with the list indicated in the flight manifest."
Amid speculations, particularly on pro-Wagner Telegram channels, concerning Prigozhin's presence on the doomed flight—given his known security precautions due to potential threats on his life—the announcement solidifies his unfortunate fate. Authorities have yet to disclose their hypotheses regarding the cause of the private jet's tragic crash.
The incident occurred precisely two months after Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries led a mutiny against Russian military leadership, taking control of Rostov, a southern city, and advancing toward Moscow before ultimately retracting their position 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.
On Sunday, Moscow residents paid tribute by laying flowers at a makeshift shrine adorned with Russian flags and photographs, situated near the Kremlin, in memory of Prigozhin and Utkin. A mourner, Dmitry Karpov, attired in military fatigues, expressed, "Losing comrades in arms has become familiar, and Prigozhin demonstrated through his actions how things should be done during times of war. Such individuals become exemplary figures in history."
Another attendee, Alexander Dykhov, hinted at President Vladimir Putin's past critiques of Prigozhin's decisions. Dykhov stated, "Debates about mistakes and varying opinions, I believe, will fade away. What will remain in people's memories is the image of a hero. He and Dmitry Utkin are authentic heroes."
While Putin initially condemned the June 23-24 mutiny as a deceitful "stab in the back," he subsequently met with Prigozhin at the Kremlin and conveyed condolences to the victims' families following the crash. Though some Western figures have conjectured, without concrete evidence, that Putin orchestrated Prigozhin's demise as reprisal for the mutiny—posing a significant challenge to Putin's authority since his ascension to power in 1999—Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed these allegations as baseless.
The Wagner fighters played a significant role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, particularly during the protracted siege of Bakhmut. This was despite Prigozhin's frequent, profanity-laden criticisms of Russia's military command regarding their conduct of the war, culminating in the thwarted mutiny. Subsequently, the Wagner fighters have departed Ukraine, with some relocating to neighboring Belarus under the terms of an agreement that concluded their insurrection.
While some may integrate into Russia's armed forces, many within the group will harbor resentment over the abrupt loss of their leader, known for inspiring unwavering loyalty among his followers. In his tribute, Putin offered a dual appraisal of Prigozhin, describing him as a "skilled entrepreneur" while acknowledging his imperfections and "serious life mistakes."
Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Nick Macfie and Giles Elgood
