Moscow: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian oligarch and chief of the Wagner mercenary group, died in a plane crash in the Central African Republic on 24 August 2023. Prigozhin was 60 years old.
The plane, a Cessna 208 Caravan, crashed shortly after takeoff from Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. All eight people on board were killed, including Prigozhin and his two sons.
The cause of the crash is not yet known. However, the Central African Republic is a country with a poor safety record for civil aviation. In 2017, a plane crash killed 39 people, including the country’s president.
Prigozhin was a controversial figure. He was known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he was accused of using his wealth and influence to advance Putin’s interests around the world.
Prigozhin was also the founder and owner of the Wagner Group, a private military company that has been accused of committing war crimes in several countries, including Syria and Libya.
The death of Prigozhin is a significant development. It is unclear who will now lead the Wagner Group, and it is possible that the group’s activities will be scaled back. However, it is also possible that the group will continue to operate, albeit under new leadership.