Yevgeny Prigozhin, the enigmatic leader of the infamous Wagner Group, met his demise in a tragic plane crash in western Russia. However, Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, seems unfazed by this news, with a high-ranking official from his administration suggesting that Prigozhin’s demise was anything but surprising.
Pawel Szrot, head of the President’s Cabinet, conveyed during an interview for private broadcaster RMF FM the Polish president’s stance to the media, stating, “Whatever happened yesterday, it’s no surprise to anyone. And for the president, this also comes as no surprise.” These words underscore the notion that Prigozhin’s tumultuous journey had perhaps reached its destined end.
The ill-fated flight, which resulted in the loss of all 10 lives on board, including Prigozhin and his advisor Dmitry Utkin, sent shockwaves through Russia and beyond. The private jet crash, as confirmed by Russia’s aviation regulator Rosaviatsia, has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Of particular intrigue is the timing of Prigozhin’s demise, occurring merely two months after he reportedly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pawel Szrot alluded to this when he noted, “Two months after Prigozhin challenged Vladimir Putin, he dies in a mysterious plane crash.” While no definitive connection has been established between Prigozhin’s alleged challenge and his untimely death, the timing has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation.
Yet, Szrot was unambiguous in his assessment of Prigozhin’s character, asserting, “No matter how you judge what happened in the Russian sky, Prigozhin and his associates were not a group of innocent angels, they were just criminals.” This sentiment echoes the international perception of the Wagner Group – a controversial private military organization with suspected ties to Russian state interests. The group has faced allegations of involvement in various conflicts and human rights abuses across the globe.
Intriguingly, Szrot’s remarks seemed to anticipate a narrative that might emerge from Russian officials regarding the crash. He predicted, “Whatever the actual case of the crash, Szrot continued, he was certain the Russians will try to blame the Ukrainians.” This assertion highlights the complex geopolitical landscape in which the tragedy occurred, with tensions between Russia and Ukraine remaining high.
He further emphasized that Duda maintains continuous communication with both the Polish security services and the military command.