recent statement, Vladimir Putin has made a surprising claim regarding the plane crash that tragically killed Yevgeny Prigozhin. Putin suggests that the crash was not due to external factors, as previously thought, but rather caused by hand grenades detonating inside the aircraft. Prigozhin, known as the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, lost his life in this incident, along with two other top commanders, four bodyguards, and a crew of three.


During a meeting with the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin stated that fragments of hand grenades were discovered within the bodies of the crash victims. He emphasized that there was no evidence of an external impact on the plane, which contradicts earlier reports from Western intelligence services suggesting a bomb might have been involved. However, Putin did not provide details on how these grenades might have detonated onboard.

Furthermore, Putin hinted at the possibility of alcohol and drugs being factors in the crash, although no official examination had been conducted to confirm this. He mentioned the discovery of a substantial amount of cash and cocaine during a search of Prigozhin's mansion following his failed mutiny against Russian military commanders.

Putin also described the Wagner group's role in Russia as "clumsy" and noted that it operated outside Russian law, being formed out of necessity. He clarified that there were no private military companies in Russia due to the absence of regulations governing them.

Additionally, Putin revealed that several thousand Wagner group soldiers had signed contracts with the Russian defense ministry, and he recently met with a former senior Wagner commander to discuss the group's future after Prigozhin's death.


Recent reports from Ukrainian officials indicate that some former Wagner fighters have returned to the battlefield but are now integrated into the regular army rather than operating as a separate unit. Russia has systematically taken control of the Wagner group following Prigozhin's failed rebellion, marking a significant challenge to Putin's long-standing rule.