00:00 The recent plane crash involving Eugeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group,
00:05 has brought a new layer of complexity to an already intricate narrative.
00:09 Hello everyone, my name is Zehnav Zilkutty and welcome to HW News English.
00:14 Prigozhin's name came into prominence following his group's bold attempt to challenge Russia's
00:19 military leadership in June. This move was seen as a significant test of Russia's President
00:24 Vladimir Putin's authority since he took office.
00:27 Now with Prigozhin's connection to the plane crash, discussions about the future of Wagner
00:32 and its enigmatic leader are clouded by uncertainty.
00:35 Just two months after initiating a short-lived rebellion, Prigozhin is once again in the
00:40 spotlight. This rebellion was widely seen as one of the most serious challenges to Putin's
00:46 rule. Since then, uncertainty has surrounded both the Wagner mercenary group and its controversial
00:51 leader.
00:52 The plane crash occurred during a private flight between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
00:58 Initial reports indicate that the tragic loss of all 10 individuals on board, including
01:02 three crew members. Russia's aviation agency later confirmed that Prigozhin was among the
01:08 passengers.
01:09 Rossovyetsia, the aviation authority, revealed a passenger list of the ill-fated Embraer
01:15 135 aircraft, which included Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin. Utkin, a mysterious figure associated
01:22 with Wagner's operations and alleged ties to Russian military intelligence, adds another
01:27 layer of intrigue. Telegram channels linked to Wagner shared footage of the wreckage,
01:32 although the authenticity of the video remains unverified.
01:36 In response to the crash, Rossovyetsia established a special commission to investigate Russia's
01:41 investigation committee, responsible for probing serious crimes, initiated its inquiry.
01:46 Amidst these developments, Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech commemorating
01:51 the 80th anniversary of the Kutsk battle during World War II. Notably, he did not mention
01:57 the crash but praised soldiers involved in a special military operation in Ukraine.
02:02 Kiev and Washington, however, quickly responded to the initial reports. US President Joe Biden's
02:08 lack of surprise implied Putin's involvement in various Russian matters.
02:12 At the same time, Ukrainian Presidential aide Mikhail Podolyak interpreted the crash as
02:17 a signal from Putin to Russia's elitists ahead of the 2024 elections, warning of dire consequences
02:24 of disloyalty. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exile leader of Belarus's opposition where
02:30 sub-Magna Fightners sought refuge after their failed mutiny, labelled Prigozhin a "murderer,
02:36 not mourned in our country". This sentiment echoed a broader public opinion associating
02:41 him with violence. Prigozhin's rise to prominence coincided with Russia's 2022 offensive in
02:47 Ukraine. He orchestrated the capture of Ukrainian towns, including Bakhmut, while openly criticizing
02:53 Russia's conventional military leadership. Escalating tensions between Prigozhin and
02:58 the Defense Ministry culminated in a power struggle over Wagner's achievements. This
03:03 power struggle reached its peak during the June Rebellion, but thousands of Wagner mercenaries
03:09 marched from southern Russia towards Moscow to overthrow the nation's military leadership.
03:14 The mutiny concluded with a mediated agreement, facilitated by Belarusian leader Alexander
03:20 Lukashenko. The agreement saw Prigozhin expected to relocate to neighboring Belarus with a
03:25 portion of his fighters. Despite his involvement in these tumultuous events, Prigozhin's fate
03:31 remains uncertain. He seemed to maintain a degree of freedom attending a Kremlin meeting
03:36 where he resisted surrendering command of his mercenary group. Despite his low profile,
03:42 Prigozhin's preferred communication platform, his dormant telegram channel, has been silenced
03:46 since June. A recent video emerged supposedly showing
03:50 Prigozhin in Africa, expressing his intention to contribute to a freer environment. Wagner's
03:56 significant presence on the African continent, with partnerships established in countries
04:01 like Mali and the Central African Republic, introduces a new dimension to the narrative.
04:06 The plane crash involving Prigozhin adds to the complexity of the overall story, leaving
04:11 observers to ponder the applications for both the Wagner mercenary group and the enigmatic
04:16 figure steering its course.
04:22 [music playing]
04:25 you
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