Vladimir Putin behind Yevgeny Prigozhin’s ‘loss of life in aircraft crash’, says Tory MP

Tory MPs have steered Vladimir Putin is behind the aircraft crash Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was reportedly killed in.

The warlord, who led a failed coup in opposition to the Russian President in June, was on the passenger listing of a personal jet carrying seven passengers and three crew which crashed whereas flying from Moscow to St Petersburg.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, stated the Russian President “couldn’t let him live” after his insurrection two months in the past.

The Rutland and Melton MP advised the Express: “The speed at which the Russian government has confirmed Yevgeny Prigozhin was on a plane that crashed on a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg should tell us everything we need to know.

“Reports Russian Air Defence shot down the plane suggests Putin is sending a very loud message.

“A number of us expected that Prigozhin would end up dead, Putin couldn’t let him live after his march on Moscow.

“But this story isn’t over yet, how will those loyal to Prigozhin respond?

“Has Putin spent the last couple of months shoring up control of Prigozhin’s assets?”

Tobias Ellwood, the Tory chair of the Commons Defence committee, added: “Of course we await particulars however this has all of the hallmarks of retaliation for the immense humiliation Prigozhin inflicted on Putin in June.

“Prigozhin challenged both the President’s credibility and loyalty of the security forces.

“These are vital for the survival of any Russian chief. Once they’re challenged then the President not appears infallible and potential successors begin to plot.”

As news of the crash was breaking, Putin hailed the heroes of Russia‘s “special military operation” in Ukraine as he spoke at an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk.

It comes after Prigozhin mounted a short-lived mutiny in June over dissatisfaction about the treatment of his private military company, which has fought alongside Russia‘s common military in Ukraine.

His destiny has been the topic of shut scrutiny ever since after his obvious exile to Belarus, however studies have steered he has appeared in Russia in latest months.

A UK Government spokesperson stated: “We are monitoring the scenario carefully.”