Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious Russian warlord who attempted to overthrow President Vladimir Putin, has reportedly died in a plane crash. The Russian government confirmed that all 10 individuals on board, including Prigozhin, lost their lives in the tragic incident. The crash has sparked speculation and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Prigozhin’s demise.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, formerly the owner of Russia’s infamous Wagner paramilitary group, was no stranger to controversy. Wagner, designated as a Transnational Criminal Organization, has been accused of committing war crimes and engaging in illicit activities. Prigozhin’s attempted coup against the Russian government in June was fueled by his belief that top military officials were undermining Wagner’s operations in Ukraine.

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has announced that an Investigation has been launched to determine the “Cause” of the Aircraft Crash in the Tver Region which Killed all 10 Passengers onboard including Yevgeny Prigozhin. pic.twitter.com/1kguZWO4lr

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 23, 2023

Prigozhin’s journey to power was unconventional, to say the least. After serving a lengthy prison sentence for assault, robbery, and fraud in the early 1980s, he embarked on a rather unexpected career path. Starting as a humble hot dog vendor on the streets, Prigozhin eventually ventured into the catering business, where he crossed paths with a young Vladimir Putin, who at the time held a low-level government position.

Prigozhin’s catering company, Concord Catering, began securing lucrative contracts with the Russian government in the mid-to-late 1990s. However, these contracts were not without controversy. According to a Wall Street Journal documentary, Prigozhin allegedly used his catering business as a front for money laundering, enabling him to fund the creation of Wagner.

Wagner, initially a small group of ex-Russian soldiers, quickly grew into a state-backed paramilitary cartel. Operating in various regions around the world, including South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, the group engaged in nefarious activities such as mass killings, rape, and the exploitation of natural resources. The profits from these activities were funneled back to the Russian government.

The Wall Street Journal investigation revealed a complex network of 64 companies linked to Wagner, serving as front entities to facilitate money transfers and asset movements. The report strongly suggests that the Kremlin has direct involvement in these operations, further blurring the lines between state-sponsored activities and criminal enterprises.

Wagner’s audaciousness was put to the test when they clashed with U.S. forces in Syria during the Trump administration. The encounter resulted in a devastating defeat for the paramilitary group, showcasing the superior firepower and tactics of the American military.

Aside from his involvement with Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin also held sway over other enterprises. One such notable entity is the Internet Research Agency, which gained infamy for its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Prigozhin, unapologetic about his role in meddling with foreign elections, boldly declared his intention to continue such activities during the 2022 midterm elections.

While the Russian government has attributed Prigozhin’s demise to the plane crash, speculation abounds regarding the true nature of the incident. Given the controversial nature of his activities and the enemies he made along the way, conspiracy theories have emerged, suggesting foul play. The crash is currently under investigation by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, aiming to uncover the cause behind the tragic event.