Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed news about the plane crash that claimed the life of notorious Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin in August after the international community suspected the Kremlin was behind the attack.
Grenades Found on Board
Contrary to initial reports suggesting an “external” attack, Putin unveiled a startling theory, indicating that hand grenades within the aircraft might have been the cause of the devastating crash.
The Unexpected Twist Unveiled
This unprecedented revelation came to light during Putin’s address at the Valdai Forum in Sochi, where he stated, “Fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of the victims.
There was no external influence on the plane; it is an established fact,” referencing the recent report by the chairman of the investigative committee.
Remembering the Attempted Coup and Crash
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a key figure who led a failed uprising against the Kremlin, was among the passengers on the private plane that crashed in a field northwest of Moscow in August while en route to St. Petersburg.
A Huge Loss of Lives
The crash resulted in the loss of all ten individuals on board, including Prigozhin and his top aides, but now Putin has admitted something sinister.
The Kremlin’s Firm Denial
Putin, whose government firmly denied any involvement in the crash, refrained from offering a detailed explanation regarding how the grenades might have detonated on the plane.
Putin’s Call for Drugs Test
Putin expressed dissatisfaction that drug or alcohol tests were not conducted on the victims’ bodies, “I repeat, in my opinion such an examination should have been carried out but it wasn’t.”
Alleged Cash and Drugs Raid in Prigozhin’s Office
Putin revealed that, allegedly, “10 billion in cash and 5 kilos of cocaine” was raided in a Wagner office in St. Petersburg.
Stirring Controversy and Speculation
This plane crash transpired exactly two months after Prigozhin’s attempted mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, the most significant and audacious challenge to Putin’s rule in decades.
Marching to Moscow
In June, Prigozhin and his Wagner troops coercively took over Russian military sites and commenced a march toward Moscow, before something unexpected occurred.
Putin’s Win Over Wagner
The Kremlin swiftly responded by deploying heavily armed troops to the streets.
However, before a face-off could occur, a last-minute deal was struck, ending the rebellion and leading Prigozhin and his fighters to neighboring Belarus.
A Full-Scale Investigation?
Following the tragic crash, Russian officials claimed they were thoroughly investigating the incident and were open to exploring multiple scenarios on how it occurred, including a “deliberate atrocity,” AKA sabotage.
International Reactions and Biden’s Suspicions
Contrary to Russia’s stance, US and Western intelligence officials strongly believed the crash was deliberate, prompting US President Joe Biden to suggest potential involvement by Putin.
Biden “Not Surprised”
He had conveyed, “I don’t know for a fact what happened, but I’m not surprised,” in late August.
Kremlin Denies Involvement
Peskov staunchly denied claims of Kremlin involvement in the plane’s demise, categorically labeling such speculations as “absolute lies.”
The post Recent Findings on Prigozhin’s Flight Raise Questions About Possible Sabotage Links first appeared on The Public Slate.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Aynur Mammadov. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.