Prominent Russian businessman and leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was among the 10 people who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Russia, according to the country's civil aviation authority. The crash occurred in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow.

Social media accounts linked to the Wagner group claim that the private plane was shot down by Russian air defenses. Prigozhin had previously led a failed mutiny against the Russian armed forces in June, which some experts believe was staged. The crash coincided with the reported dismissal of senior Russian general Sergei Surovikin as the air force chief, who was known to have close relations with Prigozhin.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Prigozhin's death, if confirmed, has raised suspicions due to the circumstances surrounding the crash.