Wagner boss Prigozhin confirmed dead after genetic analysis, say Russian authorities

The Russian authorities have confirmed the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in the plane crash. According to Russian news outlet RIA Novosti, the Investigative Committee working on the case revealed the identities of all 10 people killed in the plane crash in the Tver region. The identities were confirmed after the genetic analysis of the body.

An Embraer Legacy 600 executive jet en route to St. Petersburg crashed in north Mexico on Wednesday. As per the Russian news outlet, the investigators conducted a molecular genetic examination to identify the victims. The examination was completed on Sunday following which it was confirmed that the Wagner Chief was among the people who died in the crash. However, the cause behind the crash still remains unclear. After identifying the victims, the authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the violation of the rules of air traffic safety and operation of air transport, RIA Novosti reported.

The curious case of Yevgeny Prigozhin

The Wagner boss who rose to fame as one of Putin’s closest allies turned into a foe after he staged a brief coup in Russia. The crash took place exactly two months after the coup. The wheels started rolling after the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency confirmed that Prigozhin was on the passenger list. “An investigation has been launched into the crash of the Embraer aircraft, which occurred tonight in the Tver region,” the Federal Air Transport Agency said in a statement, according to Russian news outlet Tass. “According to the list of passengers, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin,” the statement further read.

However, nothing was confirmed and the authorities announced that they would be conducting a genetic examination to confirm the identity of all 10 victims. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Wagner mercenary group to sign an oath of allegiance to the Russian state, hours before Prighozin’s death was confirmed. The Russian President signed a decree in this regard and stated that it would be implemented with immediate effect,  The Guardian reported. “Fighters must pledge their loyalty to the Russian Federation... strictly follow their commanders and superiors’ orders, and conscientiously fulfil their obligations,” the decree read.