A private jet carrying Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed in Russia’s Tver region on Wednesday evening, killing all 10 people on board. Prigozhin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, is the founder of the Wagner Group, a private military company that has been involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but some experts have raised the possibility of sabotage. The plane was an Embraer Legacy 600, which is a relatively new aircraft with a good safety record. Additionally, the crash occurred shortly after the plane took off from Moscow, suggesting that there was not enough time for a mechanical failure to occur.

Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was on passenger list of plane that crashed in Russia

The Russian government has not commented on the possibility of sabotage, but some pro-government media outlets have dismissed the theory. They have pointed out that the plane was flying in good weather conditions and that there were no reports of any distress calls from the crew.

However, the possibility of sabotage cannot ruled out. The Wagner Group has been a target of Western sanctions, and Prigozhin himself has been accused of being involved in election interference in the United States. It is possible that his enemies may have sought to take him out by sabotaging his plane.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and it is still too early to say for sure what caused it. However, the possibility of sabotage should not ignored. If it confirmed that the plane was sabotaged, it would be a major escalation in the conflict between Russia and the West.

What do Russian authorities say?

The Russian aviation agency, Rosaviatsiya, has said that the plane crashed due to a technical malfunction. The agency said that the plane’s engines failed shortly after takeoff, and that the pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft.

However, some experts have questioned the Russian government’s explanation. They have pointed out that the plane’s engines were relatively new and that there was no evidence of a mechanical failure. Additionally, they have noted that the plane was flying in good weather conditions, which makes it unlikely that a technical malfunction would have caused the crash.

The Russian government has not responded to these allegations. However, it is important to note that the investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and it is possible that the Russian government will release more information in the future.

What are the implications of the crash?

The crash of Prigozhin’s plane has a number of implications. First, it is a major blow to the Wagner Group. Prigozhin was the group’s founder and financier, and his death will likely weaken the group’s ability to operate.

Second, the crash could further escalate tensions between Russia and the West. The West has accused Russia of sponsoring the Wagner Group, and the crash could seen as a revenge attack by the West.

Third, the crash could also have a political impact in Russia. Prigozhin was a close ally of President Putin, and his death could seen as a sign of weakness for the Russian government.

The full implications of the crash are still unclear, but it is a major event that will have a significant impact on Russia and the world.