Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, is believed to have died in a plane crash on Friday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any involvement in the crash, and forensic tests are still needed to confirm Prigozhin's death. An informal memorial has been set up in St. Petersburg, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment has found that the plane crash presumed to have killed Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has commented on the incident, noting the pattern of deaths and dubious suicides in Putin's Russia. President Joe Biden had previously commented on the incident, saying he was not surprised and that there is not much that happens in Russia that Putin is not behind.
On Wednesday, a plane crash north of Moscow killed mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and all 10 people on board, raising suspicions as Prigozhin had led a brief armed rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year. Gen. Sergei Surovikin, a top general linked to Prigozhin, was dismissed from his position as commander of the air force and has not been seen in public since the mutiny. The cause of the plane crash is still under investigation and it is unclear if Prigozhin’s death will be confirmed or if the crash was related to the mutiny.
On Wednesday evening, a private Embraer Legacy aircraft crashed in Russia's Tver region, killing all 10 people on board. The plane was registered to Wagner, a mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, and had taken off from Moscow earlier in the evening. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Services has launched an investigation into the crash, and Russian state media has reported that Prigozhin was among the passengers on board.
Russian General Sergei Surovikin has been dismissed from his post as head of the country’s Aerospace Forces, following speculation about his involvement with the Wagner mercenary rebellion. Colonel General Viktor Afzalov is now temporarily acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, as Russia seeks to modernize its armed forces. It is unclear what role, if any, Surovikin will have in the future.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military contractor, has released a video of himself in military fatigues and holding a rifle, hinting at his location in Africa. The video appears to be a recruitment drive for the Wagner Group, and the exact whereabouts of Prigozhin remain unknown. The Wagner Group has been linked to the Kremlin and has been active in Syria, Ukraine, and other countries, and Prigozhin has been sanctioned by the U.S.
Tom Brady, retired NFL legend, has taken on a new role as co-owner and chairman of the advisory board of English soccer team Birmingham City. Brady will join hedge fund manager Tom Wagner as a minority owner and will work directly with the club's leadership team. His involvement with the team could help them reach the top division of English soccer once again.
On Friday, mutinous soldiers in Niger declared their leader the new head of state, raising concerns that it could hinder the nation's fight against jihadists and boost Russia's influence in West Africa. The White House National Security Council has expressed concern over the unconstitutional seizure of power, and warned that it could put at grave risk the continued security cooperation with the government of Niger. Russia has the opportunity to increase its influence in West Africa, as the international community watches to see how the situation in Niger develops.