Genetic Test Confirms Death of Wagner Boss Prigozhin in Plane Crash

Russian officials say Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been confirmed dead after genetic analysis of bodies found in Wednesday’s plane crash.

The Investigative Committee said the identities of all 10 victims had been established and corresponded to those on the flight’s passenger list.

Prigozhin’s private jet came down north-west of Moscow on August 23, killing all those on board.

The Kremlin has denied speculation it was to blame for the crash.

The Investigative Committee said it was continuing a criminal investigation even as Molecular-genetic testing has been completed.

The victims include several senior figures in Wagner, a Russian mercenary group set up by Prigozhin and involved in military operations in Ukraine, Syria and parts of Africa.

The crash came two months after Prigozhin led a Wagner mutiny against the Russian armed forces, seizing the southern city of Rostov and threatening to march on Moscow.

The standoff was defused after a deal was reached which led to Prigozhin and Wagner fighters relocating to Belarus.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the mutiny as a “stab in the back” and there has been speculation that Russian security forces were somehow involved in the crash.

On Friday Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said rumours of foul play were an “absolute lie”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to the families of the victims.

He described Prigozhin as a “talented person” who “made serious mistakes in life”