Asia Press Agency

Tag: Yevgeny Prigozhin

  • Russia Declines Immediate Investigation into Embraer Jet Crash

    Russia Declines Immediate Investigation into Embraer Jet Crash

    Aircraft investigators from Russia have declined an immediate investigation into the tragic crash of a Brazilian-manufactured Embraer jet that resulted in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a prominent mercenary figure. The crash, which also claimed the lives of high-ranking associates from his Wagner Group and personal security personnel, occurred in the northern vicinity of Moscow. This incident is considered a significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership.

     

    Brazil’s Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) had offered to collaborate with Russia in the investigation, provided it adhered to internationally recognized protocols. However, Russia’s aviation authority has chosen not to proceed with a collaborative investigation. The decision has raised suspicions, especially in Western nations, that the crash might have been orchestrated by the Kremlin, although Russia has denied any involvement.

     

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) clarified that the flight was domestic, and as a result, it does not fall under the regulations stipulated in “Annex 13,” the legal framework governing international air crash investigations.

     

    Brazilian authorities remain open to participating in the investigation from a distance if Russia decides to initiate an inquiry and extend an invitation. Experts emphasize the importance of transparency in such investigations, highlighting that an internal Russian investigation without the involvement of Brazil, the country of the aircraft’s origin, could be met with skepticism.

     

    Embraer, the aircraft manufacturer, has not commented on the situation. Concerns are growing about obtaining information from the investigation due to international sanctions on Russia and the reluctance of Russian authorities to allow external scrutiny.

     

    The crash of the Embraer jet and the subsequent investigation decision carry significant political implications and have drawn attention to the complexities of international cooperation and transparency in such incidents.

  • Farewell Service Held for Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

    Farewell Service Held for Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

    A farewell service has been held for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian mercenary chief, who lost his life in a plane crash recently, according to a report by the news agency AP. The service took place in Prigozhin’s hometown of St. Petersburg and was open for those who wished to pay their respects at the Porokhovskoye cemetery.

     

    Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not plan to attend Prigozhin’s funeral, as confirmed by the Kremlin. Prigozhin, aged 62, had previously challenged Putin’s authority through an armed rebellion in June. Prigozhin was known for his involvement in leading Wagner forces in Ukraine, and he was awarded Russia’s highest honor for his role in these activities.

     

    Last week, Putin acknowledged the contribution of Wagner leaders to the conflict in Ukraine, describing Prigozhin as both a “talented businessman” and a “man of difficult fate” who had made significant mistakes in his life.

     

    The official confirmation of Prigozhin’s death came from Russia’s top criminal investigation agency, the Investigative Committee. The plane crash occurred when Prigozhin’s business jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Moscow to St. Petersburg on August 23. The crash claimed the lives of several individuals, including Valery Chekalov, Wagner’s logistics chief, and Dmitry Utkin, Prigozhin’s second-in-command, who was also among the casualties.

     

    Prigozhin’s death followed his role in an armed rebellion against the Russian military leadership, where he ordered his mercenaries to seize the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and initiated a march toward Moscow.

     

    The plane crash and Prigozhin’s demise occurred just two months after his rebellion against the Russian military leadership, marking a significant turn of events in the realm of Russian mercenary activities. A Farewell service has will be organized as a mark of respect.

  • Elon Musk Raises Speculation on Wagner Chief’s Death

    Elon Musk Raises Speculation on Wagner Chief’s Death

    Elon Musk, the outspoken entrepreneur and CEO of various high-profile companies, has once again made headlines with his comments, this time regarding the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash. On the microblogging site ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Musk stated, “Longer than I expected. Slight chance this is a psy op” in response to the discussion surrounding Prigozhin’s demise.

     

     

    Prigozhin’s reported death in the plane crash has raised several questions and left many loopholes. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain unknown, leading experts to speculate about the potential reasons behind it. Many believe that Prigozhin’s death might be linked to President Vladimir Putin’s desire for vengeance after Prigozhin’s short-lived rebellion in June.

     

    Musk’s statement seems to align with the opinions of experts who suggest that Prigozhin’s death might have been a consequence of challenging Putin’s authority. The notion of a “psy op” mentioned by Musk adds another layer of intrigue to the situation. “Psy op” refers to psychological operations, which involve conveying selective information to influence the mindset and behavior of various entities, including governments and organizations.

     

    Musk’s response was triggered by a user’s post that remarked, “That didn’t take too long.” This comment suggests that Prigozhin’s fate was perhaps anticipated due to his defiance against the Kremlin.

     

    Known for his willingness to voice opinions on controversial events, Musk’s remark about the Wagner chief’s death aligns with the prevailing theory among experts and western think tanks. Many believe that the plane crash was, in fact, an assassination orchestrated to avenge Prigozhin’s mutiny against Putin’s authority.

     

    The circumstances around Putin’s silence regarding the incident further contribute to the speculation. Prigozhin had led a rebellion in June against the Kremlin’s military leadership, attempting to topple its authority. His death occurred when the private plane he was on crashed while traveling between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

     

    As Russian authorities have not provided an official cause for the crash, numerous questions and assumptions remain unanswered. The incident highlights Putin’s history of dealing with opponents and his regime’s tightening control, raising concerns about the Kremlin’s involvement in Prigozhin’s demise. While rescuers found 10 bodies and sources within the Wagner group indicated Prigozhin’s death, official confirmation is yet to be provided.

  • Biden Comments on Death of Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

    Biden Comments on Death of Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

    US President Joe Biden responded to reports of the plane crash involving Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian private military company Wagner Group. Biden expressed his lack of surprise at the incident, suggesting that there is little that occurs in Russia without the influence of President Vladimir Putin. He stated, “There is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind, but I don’t know enough to know the answer.”

     

     

    The Russian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Prigozhin and Wagner Commander Dmitry Utkin were on board the crashed plane. However, there is no confirmation that Prigozhin was physically on the plane.

     

    Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak interpreted the incident as a signal from Putin to Russia’s elites ahead of the 2024 elections. He tweeted, “The demonstrative elimination of Prigozhin and the Wagner command two months after the coup attempt is a signal from Putin to Russia’s elites… ‘Beware! Disloyalty equals death.’”

     

    British lawmaker Alicia Kearns, chair of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted the swift confirmation by the Russian government about Prigozhin’s presence on the crashed plane. She suggested that reports of Russian Air Defense possibly shooting down the plane indicate a strong message from Putin.

     

    Pavel Luzin, an expert with the Center for European Policy Analysis, commented on the implications of the incident. He noted that regardless of whether Prigozhin was killed on Putin’s orders or due to inter-agency clashes within the Russian elite, the event underscores growing contradictions and lack of unity within the Russian leadership.

     

    Yevgeny Prigozhin had previously led a mutiny against Russia’s top army brass in June, an action that President Putin claimed could have pushed Russia into civil war.

     

    The incident has triggered international speculation and reactions, shedding light on the dynamics of Russia’s political landscape and the complex relationships within its leadership circles.