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Russia has confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military company, was among the ten individuals on board a crashed Embraer Legacy jet. The plane crash has prompted an investigation into the cause, and the area around the crash site has been sealed off.

The Plane Crash

The plane, which was carrying three crew members and seven passengers, was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. It crashed approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Moscow. According to reports, there were no apparent signs of trouble with the aircraft until the final 30 seconds of its descent, as indicated by flight tracking data. Ian Petchenik from flightracker Flightradar24 noted that the Embraer Legacy 600 jet experienced a "sudden downward vertical" at 15:19 GMT. In just about 30 seconds, the aircraft descended more than 8,000 feet from its cruising altitude of 28,000 feet. Before this rapid descent, there were no apparent indicators of any issues with the plane.

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Wagner Chief's Speculations

This tragic crash has raised suspicions due to the involvement of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military company. Prigozhin had previously led a rebellion, which drew strong condemnation from President Vladimir Putin, who called it "treason" and a "stab in the back." However, charges against Prigozhin were later dropped, and he was allowed to retreat to Belarus. He occasionally resurfaced in Russia.

Investigation Underway

In response to the crash, the Russian authorities have sealed off the crash site, and a special commission by the Russian Aviation Authority has been formed to investigate the incident. The exact cause of the crash is currently being probed.

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This tragic event involving the plane crash has garnered significant attention due to Prigozhin's history and the sudden, unexplained descent of the aircraft. Further investigation will be crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding this incident which involved the Wagner private military company.