Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the plane crash that claimed the life of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, was caused by the detonation of hand grenades inside the aircraft.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin stated that traces of explosives were found in the bodies of those who died in the August crash, and fragments of hand grenades were discovered.
He refuted claims of a missile strike, denying external impact on the plane.
Putin criticized the lack of alcohol and drug tests on crash victims and mentioned that searches of Wagner’s offices in St. Petersburg uncovered cash and cocaine.
The crash investigation findings have not been publicly disclosed, and Moscow rejected Brazil’s offer to participate in the inquiry.
Putin ordered Wagner fighters to sign contracts with Russia’s defense ministry, a move opposed by Prigozhin and many of his men.
Putin stated that there is no consensus in Russia regarding private military companies and noted that thousands of Wagner fighters have signed contracts with the armed forces.
Prigozhin, who led a brief rebellion against Russia’s defense establishment, passed away two months after the mutiny.
A preliminary US intelligence assessment suggested an intentional explosion caused the crash.
Western officials have raised suspicions about Putin’s involvement, but the Kremlin has vehemently denied such claims. The future of Wagner remains uncertain following Prigozhin’s death.
The Wagner Group, a mercenary force created by Prigozhin, was active in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and several African countries and faced sanctions from the EU and the US for human rights abuses.
Its abuses compare to US military contractor companies like Blackwater which don’t get as much media attention in the west.