Vladimir Putin's critic Yevgeny Prigozhin rumoured dead: The stunning coincidence no one is talking about

Yesterday, reports came flooding in that Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had been in a plane crash and was presumed dead. As speculation and rumours continue to swirl on social media platforms today, let’s take a look at the stunning coincidence that no one is talking about.

What happened with the crash?

A plane traveling from Moscow to St Petersburg crashed in a fireball over the Russian Tver Region yesterday evening, Wednesday 23 August. Keep this date in mind - we’ll come back to it. There is even footage of the plane spiraling from the sky and the crashed wreck in flames circulating on X.

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Has Prigozhin’s death been confirmed?

Russia’s civil aviation authority confirmed the list of passengers on the plane only an hour or so after the crash: Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was on it, along with his right-hand man and eight other passengers. As the BBC reports, this is an unusually rapid release of information for this authority. Many are seeing this as suspicious: did they already know this was to happen? Were they told to report this?

Meanwhile, Wagner-linked Telegram channels have claimed the Wagner chief ‘was killed...by traitors of Russia'. Anton Gerashchenko, Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has shared a clip of Wagner mercenaries stating they will have their revenge on X.

It has not been confirmed if the men in the video are in fact Wagner mercenaries.

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A second plane, also reportedly owned by Prigozhin, was seen zig-zagging over Moscow, before landing safely. There is some speculation that this plane could have been carrying the ‘real’ Prigozhin.

As the Daily Mail reports, Keir Giles, from the London-based think tank Chatham House, has reminded us that Prigozhin knew he needed to protect himself:

It's been announced that a passenger by the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was on board - but it is also known that multiple individuals have changed their name to Yevgeny Prigozhin, as part of his efforts to obfuscate his travels. Let’s not be surprised if he pops up shortly in a new video from Africa.

Read more: Yevgeny Prigozhin allegedly passed away: Who is he and how did he make his billion-dollar fortune?

The shocking coincidence that points to a purposeful killing

The coup that Prigozhin led was not successful; an agreement to settle the conflict was reached between the two sides the very next day. The Wagner leader was then exiled to Belarus and the mercenary group has since been hired to guard mines in the Central African Republic and Sudan.

When did this coup happen? The 24-hour rebellion took place over the 23 and 24 June: exactly two months ago.

Reports are suggesting that this could be a coincidence too far, and Putin is known for taking revenge on those who betray him.

Read more:Vladimir Putin critic Yevgeny Prigozhin labelled 'absolute dictator' after latest conflict

Sources used:

BBC: How Russia reacted after Prigozhin plane crash

The Mirror:Mystery over second Wagner plane seen zig-zagging and landing after Russia plane crash

The Daily Mail: Prigozhin BETTER be alive': Wagner fighters threaten to march on Moscow after Russia claimed mercenary was on-board doomed plane 'brought down by bombs smuggled in wine crate - as rumours spread he 'faked his death' and fled in a SECOND plane