Wagner leader Prigozhin killed in plane that crashed in Russia; General close to Wagner sacked

Wagner leader Prigozhin killed in plane that crashed in Russia; General close to Wagner sacked
by Patrick Hilsman
Washington DC (UPI) Aug 23, 2023

Wagner Mercenary Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list of a private jet that crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, Russian officials said.

The pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone said the jet was shot down by Russian air defenses over the Russian Tver region. It was flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

All aboard the Embraer plane -- seven passengers and three crew -- were killed, the Federal Air Transport Agency said. The plane hit the ground and caught on fire.

Prigozhin, 62, led his forces in a mutiny against the Russian military on June 23-24, marching within miles of Moscow before retreating.

Earlier Wednesday, Russian media reported that the former head of Russian forces in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was relieved of his duties as chief of Russia's Air Force because of his alleged close ties to Prigozhin.

Russian general close to Wagner Group removed from post
Washington DC (UPI) Aug 23, 2023 - The former head of Russian forces in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was relieved of his duties as chief of Russia's Air Force because of his alleged close ties to Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The move is the latest fallout from a short-lived failed military coup in June carried out by the mercenary group that had assisted infighting against Ukraine during the Russian invasion and is now in Belarus.

"The ex-commander in chief of the Aerospace Forces of Russia, Sergei Surovikin has now been relieved of his post," the state-run news agency RIA Novosti said on Wednesday. Col. Gen. Viktor Afzalov, chief of the Air Force's general staff, was elevated to acting commander, the outlet said.

RIA Novosti said Surovikin, nicknamed by analysts as "General Armageddon" for his brutality, has been "transferred to another job" and is currently on a "short vacation."

While Russian hardliners have long complained about the ineffective leadership during the Ukrainian invasion, it was Surovikin's ties with Prigozhin and Wagner, particularly during the coup, that led to his downfall.

U.S. officials said in June that Surovikin had advanced knowledge of the failed coup and they were trying to determine if he helped plan it with Prigozhin. Surovikin had been credited with helping shore up defenses across the battle lines after Ukraine's counteroffensive last year.