Yevgeny Prigozhin has been killed in a private jet crash in the Tver region north of Moscow, Russian agencies have reported. The Wagner mercenary boss was on board the aircraft when it crashed killing all 10 passengers, authorities have said.
According to Russia’s federal air transport agency: “An investigation of the Embraer plane crash that happened in the Tver Region this evening was initiated.
“According to the passenger list, the first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list.”
The flight appears to have been travelling between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Wagner-linked Telegram channels have reported that the plane was shot down by Russian air defences.
Mr Prigozhin led an abortive coup against Russia’s military leadership in June, which ended after Wagner fighters were promised amnesty in neighbouring Belarus.