Russia: Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led mutiny against Putin leadership, killed in plane crash

In a serious challenge to Russia's President Vladimir Putin's rule, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the country's private paramilitary force Wagner Mercenary, had launched an all-out mutiny.

The mutiny that lasted for just a few days was seen as the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power.

The world watched the developments in Russia as Prigozhin vowed to punish Russian military leaders whom he accused of killing 2,000 of his fighters. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Armed Forces to neutralize the rebellions and arrest Prigozhin.

However, the mutiny was called off as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko intervened and proposed safe exit for Prigozhin. The Wagner chief agreed to depart for Belarus, and Russia said the criminal case against him would be dismissed.

Since then, uncertainty has surrounded the fate of Wagner and its controversial chief.

A total of eight bodies have been found at the crash site of a private plane, the emergency services told Sputnik.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said that the Embraer Legacy private plane en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the Tver Region, killing all 10 people aboard.

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, said on that Wagner Group private military company (PMC) leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed among passengers of the crashed plane.

"According to updated information, eight bodies were found at the crash site of the aircraft," the emergency services said, adding that the search and rescue operation is ongoing.

Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) said all the 10 passengers travelling in the plane were killed in the crash. The Wagner chief was on board.

"According to the airline, the following passengers were on board the Embraer-135 (EBM-135BJ) aircraft:... Prigozhin, Yevgeny," said Rosaviatsia, which also listed Dmitry Utkin, a shadowy figure who managed Wagner's operations and allegedly served in Russian military intelligence, said the AFP report.

Telegram channels linked to Wagner posted footage -- that AFP could not independently confirm -- showing the wreckage of the plane burning in a field.