The wreckage of a jet carrying Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, which crashed with no survivors, has prompted widespread speculation about President Vladimir Putin’s possible involvement, given Prigozhin’s history of challenging the army’s leadership. Two months prior, Prigozhin led a mutiny against the military, positioning himself as a significant threat to Putin’s authority.
“Putin’s silence and lack of comment from the Kremlin and the Defence Ministry on Prigozhin’s fate has given rise to suspicions of his potential culpability,” says political analyst Maria Petrova.
Prigozhin’s vocal opposition to the military top brass over Russia’s conduct in the Ukrainian conflict has cast doubt on whether Putin may have had a hand in orchestrating the crash. “The timing and circumstances of the crash raise questions about Putin’s motives,” notes security expert Ivan Ivanov. “The elimination of Prigozhin could alleviate a significant challenge to Putin’s grip on power.”
Although no concrete evidence has emerged linking Putin directly to the incident, Putin’s track record of handling threats to his rule forcefully has fuelled conjecture about his potential involvement.
“Given Putin’s history of asserting control, the idea that he could be behind the crash is not far-fetched,” suggests political commentator Anna Sokolova. “Prigozhin’s audacious challenge and his mutiny could have posed a risk to Putin’s reputation as a strong leader.”
The incident occurred as President Putin virtually addressed the BRICS summit, alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, without referencing the plane crash that reportedly claimed ten lives. State media’s subdued coverage further heightened suspicion.
The crash site near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region remained heavily guarded, with investigators sifting through debris. Villagers reported a loud bang before witnessing the jet’s descent. “The circumstances surrounding the crash have raised eyebrows,” says Anatoly, a local resident. “It wasn’t thunder; it was a metallic bang.”
Although Russian media speculates that the plane might have been shot down by surface-to-air missiles, this remains unverified.
Prigozhin’s death could serve Putin’s interest in eliminating a formidable rival and reasserting his authority. “The removal of Prigozhin from the equation would solidify Putin’s position,” says political analyst Alexander Mikhailov. “The mutiny, if left unchecked, could have weakened Putin’s stance.”
As suspicions grow, international observers and political analysts await further developments that might shed light on the plane crash’s circumstances and Putin’s potential role.
