Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash on August 24, appears to have predicted his own death. The mercenary was killed along with ten others when his plane took a nosedive and crashed to the ground north of Moscow.
The video clip in question has emerged on social media and features Mr. Prigozhin saying, “You better kill me, but I won’t lie. I have to be honest: Russia is on the brink of disaster. If these cogs are not adjusted today, the plane will fall apart mid-air.” Some people suggest he is somehow aware of his impending death, while others dismiss the comments as a metaphorical repeat of the criticism of Russia that brought him into conflict with brutal Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In June, Prigozhin and his private army took control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don amid blistering disparagement of the Russian military and the shoddy equipment supplied to his troops by the Kremlin. The private army prepared to march on Moscow but ended its coup within a few hundred miles of the capital. Theories suggest that Putin assured Prigozhin his life would be spared if he ended the mutiny before reaching the Kremlin. However, the finger is clearly pointed at Vladimir Putin in the wake of Prigozhin’s death.
When asked by reporters, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said it was “pretty evident” that Putin ordered the killing. However, theories that the mercenary may still be alive are swirling around the internet and lending weight to the notion that the rebellion was called off on a promise that Putin would allow Prigozhin to live.
The Institute for the Study of War says Russia was highly secretive about Mr. Prigozhin’s funeral and it was attended by a woman claiming to be his wife but who looked suspiciously different. Others say Prigozhin recorded a new video after his death.
Prigozhin has previously faked his own demise and turned up alive three years after his “death.”
