The “assassination” of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin could plunge Russia into civil war, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny warns
- Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny described the crash as a “genuine terrorist attack”
- Prigozhin’s supporters had urged him to challenge Putin for the presidency
The apparent assassination of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin could plunge Russia into civil war, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny warned yesterday.
He accused Vladimir Putin of ordering the assassination of the mercenary group’s chief months after he led an aborted anti-Kremlin uprising.
The Defense Ministry said there was “no definitive proof yet” that Prigozhin was on the private jet that crashed after an explosion on board, but it was “highly likely”.
It warned that his death would have “deeply destabilizing effects” on his mercenary group, which operates in flashpoints around the world, including Ukraine, Syria and several African countries.
Wagner soldiers have threatened to storm the Kremlin and seek revenge for the alleged deaths of their leader, his deputy Dmitry Utkin and several other key lieutenants.
Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny accused Vladimir Putin of ordering the assassination of the mercenary group’s chief, months after he led an aborted anti-Kremlin insurgency
Moscow has denied being behind the plane crash, calling allegations it was a “complete lie” to be involved.
Russian investigators say they found the flight recorder of the Embraer Legacy jet that fell to the ground 33 minutes after it began its departure from Moscow on Wednesday, but have not yet confirmed the identities of the 10 bodies recovered from the wreckage.
The US Department of Defense said its preliminary assessment suggested the crash was caused intentionally by an explosion on the plane.
Some Wagner supporters claimed that a bomb had been planted in a wine crate. Mr Navalny – who survived an assassination attempt in 2020 – accused the Russian president of ordering the blast, which also killed three flight crew members.
In a message to his supporters, he described the crash as a “real terrorist attack” and said he would make Prigozhin a martyr for his supporters. “These ingredients are used to prepare the dish called ‘civil war’,” added the jailed opposition leader.
Mr Navalny collapsed on board a plane in Russia in 2020 after being poisoned with a nerve agent.
He was later jailed on fraud charges, despite calling for his immediate release on alleged political motives.
Prigozhin’s supporters had urged him to challenge Putin for the presidency, leading to claims that the Russian leader ordered his assassination in order to eliminate him and destroy his mercenary group.
The Defense Ministry said there was “no definitive proof yet” that Prigozhin was on the private jet that crashed after an explosion on board, but it was “highly likely”.
Alexei Navalny described the crash as a “real terrorist attack” and said it would make Prigozhin a martyr for his supporters.
Prigozhin’s supporters had urged him to challenge Putin for the presidency, leading to claims that the Russian leader ordered his assassination in order to eliminate him
In Russia, the Kremlin announced that all paramilitary fighters are now required to take an oath on the Russian flag
Prigozhin’s failed mutiny when he ordered his troops to march on Moscow in June was widely considered to have sealed his fate, and his death came exactly two months to the day after the aborted uprising.
The future of his Wagner group remained unclear, but the Department of Defense said his presumed death left a “management vacuum”.
An intelligence briefing went on to say, “The death of Prigozhin would most likely have profoundly destabilizing effects on the Wagner group.”
“His personal qualities of hyperactivity, extraordinary boldness, drive for results, and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be equaled by any successor.”
In Russia, the Kremlin announced that all paramilitary fighters are now required to take an oath on the Russian flag.
They must “swear allegiance to the Russian Federation… strictly follow the orders of their commanders and superiors and scrupulously fulfill their obligations,” according to a new decree signed by Putin.