Russian state-run news agencies reported on Wednesday that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group that led a mutiny against Russia’s army in June, was among the passengers on a plane that crashed.
“The plane that crashed in the Tver Region listed Yevgeny Prigozhin among its passengers, (Russia’s aviation agency) Rosaviatsia said,” TASS news agency reported, with RIA Novosti and Interfax issuing similar reports.
According to reports, the plane carried at least ten passengers, all of whom are presumed dead. Prigozhin’s name was among those on board the plane.
Surovikin was officially recognized as an intermediary between Wagner and the army in May, when Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin vehemently accused Russian military leaders of failing to supply his forces with ammunition.
Surovikin then made a highly unusual video appeal to the mercenary organization on the nights of June 23 and 24, after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin called for the overthrow of Russia’s military command.
Less than 24 hours later, Prigozhin had retreated with his men and consented to be exiled to Belarus with the Kremlin.
Surovikin did not make any public appearances following that, sparking wild speculation that he had been imprisoned or dismissed from his position.
Surovikin was “resting” in July, according to a legislator and former army officer from Russia’s ruling party.