Did Vladimir Putin have a hand in Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death?
The leader of the Wagner mercenary group was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday—roughly two months following his mutiny against Vladimir Putin. …
This has caused many to speculate if foul play was involved. …
On Thursday Putin released this announcement: “Yevgeny Prigozhin was a man of many talents who made a significant contribution to the struggle against neo-Nazis. Prigozhin was a man of complicated destiny. He’d made serious mistakes in his life, but also got results.”
Putin reacts to the incident that killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. pic.twitter.com/Gqn6bOi89z
— Putin Direct (@PutinDirect) August 25, 2023
I don’t know about you, but he doesn’t seem to be too remorseful here, but that’s just me. …This entire statement seems faked and choreographed. …
Also, the part about Prigozhin ‘making serious mistakes in his life’ is pretty much a calling card—Putin is tacitly issuing a warning to would-be adversaries.
I am not saying that this is definitely the case, but it is my opinion that this is what Putin’s statement communicates.
Jackson Hinkle took us back to a moment in 2018: “Remember what Vladimir Putin said 2018: Q. Are you able to forgive? Putin: Yes, but not everything. Q. What is it impossible to forgive? Putin: Betrayal. Prigozhin knew this.”
🇷🇺 Remember what Vladimir Putin said 2018
Q. Are you able to forgive?
Putin: Yes, but not everything.
Q. What is it impossible to forgive?
Putin: Betrayal.Prigozhin knew this. pic.twitter.com/MxQi1pquVR
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) August 23, 2023
According to The Hill
A Russian business jet crashed Wednesday about 100 miles northwest of Moscow, killing 10 people.
Russia’s civilian aviation agency said both Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were listed as passengers on the plane.
Wagner-affiliated channels are claiming that air defenses shot the plane out of the sky, but the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Professor and Hoover Fellow Micheal McFaul speculates: “Prigozhin humiliated Putin with his mutiny. Everyone but Prigozhin seemed to understand that Putin would eventually seek revenge. Looks like he did today. But if you have to kill your buddies, is that really a sign of strength?”
Prigozhin humiliated Putin with his mutiny. Everyone but Prigozhin seemed to understand that Putin would eventually seek revenge. Looks like he did today. But if you have to kill your buddies, is that really a sign of strength?
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 23, 2023
Former CIA official John Sipher shared this piece which alleged: “On the night of Prigozhin’s death, a Telegram channel run by a far-right unit linked to Wagner published a post that was quickly shared widely: ‘Let this be a lesson to all,” it read. “Always go all the way.’”
“On the night of Prigozhin’s death, a Telegram channel run by a far-right unit linked to Wagner published a post that was quickly shared widely: ‘Let this be a lesson to all,” it read. “Always go all the way.’” https://t.co/9V0xq1q2q7
— John Sipher (@john_sipher) August 24, 2023
The Epoch Times reports that the Pentagon believes:
The Department of Defense claims that Mr. Prigozhin was likely killed in the crash “based on a variety of factors,” but will not currently confirm whether the crash was deliberate, according to Pentagon spokesperson Gen. Pat Ryder.
“Our initial assessment is that it’s likely Prigozhin was killed,” Gen. Ryder said during an Aug. 24 press briefing. “We’re continuing to assess the situation.”
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