Kremlin Refutes Ordering Wagner Chief's Death Amid Speculation: 'Absolute Lie'

The Kremlin has refuted rumors that it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who reportedly died in a plane crash following his revolt against Russia‘s military leadership. The assertion follows intense speculation in the wake of the incident.

What Happened: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov termed the rumors as “absolute lie,” CBS News reported. “There is a lot of speculation around the plane crash and the tragic death of the passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin,” Peskov said.

Prigozhin’s fatal accident occurred two months post his rebellion against Moscow’s top brass, perceived as a major threat to President Vladimir Putin‘s long-standing rule.

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Following a 24-hour silence, President Putin expressed his “sincere condolences” to the families of all victims on Thursday, acknowledging Prigozhin’s “serious mistakes” but also his achievements.

Prigozhin, a former Kremlin confidant and Western-sanctioned businessman, was one of the 10 passengers on the ill-fated plane. A formal identification is yet to be made.

The U.S. intelligence community, still assessing the cause of the crash, has found no evidence of a surface-to-air missile involvement, as per the Pentagon.

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Photo via government.ru on Wikimedia Commons