‘A Complete Lie’: Russia Dismisses Western Intelligence Reports Of A Bomb On Board Prigozhin’s Plane
Russian authorities on Friday vehemently denied their involvement in the plane crash that purportedly killed Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, rejecting Western intelligence reports that the crash was the result of an assassination plot carried out by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
People lay carnations to a memorial as they pay tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin who died in a plane ... [+]
In a press conference, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that Western speculation about the plane crash is “all a complete lie.”
Peskov added that Russia’s remarks on the issue will be guided only by “facts” and those will only emerge following “the official investigation which is being carried out now.”
The Kremlin spokesperson’s comments were in response to reports from U.S. intelligence that the crash was a result of a bomb on board the plane following Putin’s orders and British officials that the domestic intelligence agency FSB may have been involved.
Peskov, however, did not confirm that Prigozhin has definitely been identified among the people killed in the crash.
Earlier in the day, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov criticized President Joe Biden’s remarks from the day of the crash, in which he said: “There is not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind.”
According to state-run news agency TASS, Ryabkov said Biden was “not in a position to speculate on the subject” and the speculation from U.S. authorities showed “blatant disregard for diplomatic methods.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a eulogy for Prigozhin calling him a “talented person” who “made serious mistakes in life,” although he did not outright confirm the Wagner chief’s death. When asked by reporters if Putin would attend Prigozhin’s funeral, Peskov dismissed the question, saying it was impossible to say as the Russian leader has a busy schedule.
Prigozhin is believed to have been among 10 people on board an Embraer private jet from Moscow to St. Petersburg when it crashed around 60 miles north of the Russian capital Wednesday. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, with Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency saying it was investigating the case. The agency said Prigozhin’s name was on the passenger list but it is still unknown for certain if he was actually on board. Despite a lack of confirmation U.S. officials believe it is highly likely the mercenary chief was on board. Speculation over Putin’s involvement in the alleged death stems from Prigozhin’s recent effort to organize a coup against the leadership in Moscow. Although Prigozhin was talked into calling off the coup his actions had been labeled as treason by Putin.
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