Iran Press/ Europe: The Russian government has said that it is not involved in the presumed death of Prigozhin, which the US and UK governments have said might take some time to confirm. Putin, meanwhile, indirectly confirmed Prigozhin's death.
Related:
Wagner chief killed in plane crash
Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a business jet that crashed near Moscow in Russia on Wednesday. Everyone on the plane was reported to have died.
After reports linked Putin to Yevgeny's death, the Russian government denied any involvement.
"There is a lot of speculation around this disaster, around the tragic death of the passengers on the plane, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, in the west all these speculations are presented from a certain angle. This is all an absolute lie," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as per Guardian.
Putin on Thursday appeared to confirm Prigozhin's death ain an address. He said tha Prigozhin was “talented” but made “serious mistakes in life”.
“He was a man of difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results needed both for himself and when I asked him about it – for a common cause, as in these last months,” said Putin further.
Prigozhin led an abortive coup against Russia’s military leadership in June, which ended after Wagner fighters were promised amnesty in neighboring Belarus.
Prigozhin himself agreed to relocate to Belarus but has been able to move freely, being seen in Russia and also reportedly visiting Africa.
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