Russia: Wagner boss Prigozhin among plane crash passengers, say aviation officials

New Delhi: Reports from Russian aviation officials claim that Yevgeny Prigozhin, notable for his involvement in a failed insurrection against Vladimir Putin, was among the passengers on a plane that tragically crashed in the western region of Russia, reports BBC. 

According to reports, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has so far remained tight-lipped on the reported death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Experts say that Putin may be waiting until an official version of events surrounding the plane crash is established. However, some social media reports claim that there was another plane too and Prigozhin could have been on board that plane. 

The crash occurred in proximity to Kuzhenkino village, claiming the lives of all 10 individuals aboard the private aircraft, say BBC report.

The passengers included Yevgeny Prigozhin, recognized as the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner, and his close associate Dmitry Utkin.

Authorities in Russia have initiated a comprehensive inquiry to ascertain the factors that led to the plane crash.

Yevgeny Prigozhin had maintained a relatively discreet public presence subsequent to his leadership in the brief mutiny that unfolded in June.

The insurrection itself lasted a mere 24 hours. Recently, Prigozhin surfaced in a video released earlier this week, reportedly filmed in an undisclosed location in Africa.

Founded in 2014, the Wagner mercenary group had been extensively engaged in the conflict in Ukraine until the events surrounding the aforementioned mutiny.