Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken away from the widely accepted narrative that a missile attack caused the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group. Instead, Putin suggests that hand grenades detonating inside the aircraft were the likely cause of the crash. According to Putin, the head of Russia’s investigative committee reported to him that fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of those killed in the crash. Putin also emphasized that no external impact was detected on the plane, making the missile attack theory unlikely.
Putin’s theory implies that the crash was not the result of a deliberate attack, but rather an act of sabotage or internal conflict within the Wagner group. The Russian president’s comments have reignited interest in the crash and raised further questions about the role of Wagner in Russian politics and its connection to the government. The incident has also highlighted the complex relationships between Russia, Ukraine, and Wagner, and the potential for conflict and instability in the region.
Vladimir Putin (Via Vladimir Putin/Twitter)
The crash of the private Embraer jet, which was carrying Prigozhin, other top Wagner figures, bodyguards, and crew members, was a significant event in recent Russian history. Prigozhin’s death has been seen as a significant blow to the Wagner group’s influence, and the incident has raised questions about the potential motivations behind the crash. Despite Putin’s theory, the exact cause of the crash remains unknown until the investigators release their findings.
Putin’s comments also touched on the issue of substance abuse, with the Russian president suggesting that investigators should have carried out alcohol and drug tests on the bodies of those who died in the crash. This comes after quantities of cocaine were found at Wagner’s office in St Petersburg in the past. The investigators have yet to release their findings on the cause of the incident, and the Russian president’s comments have added to the already high level of intrigue surrounding the crash.
