Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over a plane crash in which Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was presumed dead . Putin said the Wagner members who died in the crash made a significant contribution to Moscows offensive in Ukraine and shared a common cause .
Russia has said all ten people onboard were likely killed and opened a criminal case into violations of air traffic rules . The plane was flying from Moscow to Saint Petersburg where Wagners headquarters are based . Three crew members were among the dead including the only woman onboard a stewardess identified as Kristina Raspopova .
In June the mercenary leader had sent his fighters marching onto Moscow to unseat Russias top generals in a dramatic hours that shook Putins authority . Russia had not commented on the crash but some Wagner supporters came to the private military groups offices to mourn the fighter chief .
In Ukraine some people rejoiced at the apparent death of a man whose fighters were known for exceptionally cruel efforts. People laid flowers and patches bearing the Wagner skull logo at a makeshift memorial outside the mercenary group’s headquarters AFP journalists said they hoped that it was true .
The Kremlin had guaranteed that Prigzhin would not face criminal charges for mutiny charges for his mutiny in Belarus which was halted by a highly unusual deal which broke by neighbouring Belarus . PrigZhin . The Russian army had refused to comment on the death of Prigazhin.
In June Prigizhin. The Kremlin said that he would not commit any criminal charges against Prigrazhin. It had not said that Prizizki. It has also said that it would not necessarily commit any wrongdoing. The plane appeared on its website. It is believed to have flown to Moscow.
