Plane crashes in Russia with Wagner chief Prigozhin ‘on board’, all boarders reportedly killed

A private plane has crashed in Moscow’s Tver region, killing all 10 people on board.

Russia news agency TASS reports that Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was among those on board.

Russia’s civilian aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia, also said Prigozhin was on the passenger list. However, it was not immediately clear if he had boarded the flight.
The Embraer aircraft, en route from Moscow to St Petersburg, was carrying seven passengers and three crew, TASS reported on Wednesday.

“A private Embraer Legacy aircraft travelling from Moscow to Saint Petersburg crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver Region. There were 10 people on board, including 3 crew members. According to preliminary information, all those on board died,” the ministry for emergency situation said on Telegram.

Danield Hawkins, a journalist in Moscow, told international media Al Jazeera that “reports in the Russian media, unconfirmed so far, are saying this aircraft could have been taken down by air defence systems”.
“Prigozhin was among those on board or was at least listed as among those people on board.

“Some journalists report they’re in touch with his press secretary who is refusing to confirm that. A second jet was also in the air that’s turned around and gone back to St Petersburg.”