Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner chief presumed dead after Russia plane crash

Yevgeny Prigozhin – the Wagner group leader – was on a jet that crashed in Russia, according to Russia’s civil aviation authority. 

Social media lined to the Wagner group say Prigozhin’s private jet was shot down by Russian air defences. He died “as a result of actions of traitors to Russia”, the Grey Zone Telegram channel posted.

Prigozhin led a mutiny against Russia’s armed forces in June, despite only lasting around 24 hours, it was seen as the biggest threat to Putin since his invasion of Ukraine. 

The plane was carrying seven passengers and three crew, according to Russia’s Rosaviatsia aviation authority.

The plane was flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg on Wednesday when it crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino. 

The passenger list also included senior Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin, who founded the group in 2014. 

According to one report, Prigozhin’s body has been found and identified – this has not been officially confirmed. 

Russian state TV has said all 10 bodies have been recovered and local residents say they heard two bangs before the crash.