Tweets On The Death Of Wagner Group Founder Prigozhin

Prigozhin: Vladimir Putin breaks silence over plane crash https://t.co/RkT46DiUPI

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 24, 2023

Vladimir Putin made his first comments since the plane crash in Russia that apparently killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded an intentional explosion brought down the mercenary leader’s private jet. pic.twitter.com/HIXDDOgj47

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 24, 2023

The private jet purportedly carrying Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin that crashed, killing everyone on board, was likely shot down by a surface-to-air missile inside Russia, said two US officials who spoke to @Reuters on condition of anonymity https://t.co/5d42WWjxrG pic.twitter.com/kQP8X4weFc

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 24, 2023

⚡️In the case of the crash of Prigozhin's plane, it is necessary to “focus on facts”, and not on “the statements of the Western media”, Lavrov said. pic.twitter.com/NMOP1Y2CUw

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) August 24, 2023

At the crash site of Prigozhin's plane in the Tver region, law enforcement officers continue to work, the area is being surveyed. The area is still cordoned off.

https://t.co/Lyukm0QIsp pic.twitter.com/1h2PQrf53p

— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) August 24, 2023

The passenger manifest of the plane that went down in Russia is essentially a who’s who of Wagner mercenaries: Its second-in-command, the logistics chief, a fighter wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Syria. And of course, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's leader. https://t.co/alEj7ELFo3

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 24, 2023

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who spearheaded a mutiny against Russia’s top army brass in June, was presumed dead in a fiery plane crash. Like Prigozhin, others who opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin have suffered mysterious fates https://t.co/bq8S3VcWgw pic.twitter.com/0KWUMPRvuK

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 24, 2023

Where was Prigozhin before the crash? https://t.co/kwEQBoX1PK

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 24, 2023

Russian President Putin Breaks Silence On Prigozhin's Death

FILE PHOTO: Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (left) visits Concord food plant in the village of Yanino. Right - General Director of Concord's culinary line Yevgeny Prigozhin. © Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin 

RT: Putin comments on Prigozhin plane crash  

The Russian president has described the Wagner chief as “a talented man”  

Yevgeny Prigozhin was a man of many talents who made a “significant contribution” to the struggle against neo-Nazis in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, commenting on the plane crash that reportedly killed the Wagner Group head. 

Speaking with journalists at the Kremlin, Putin said that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s, and described him as “a man of complicated destiny.”  

Read more .... 

Russian President Putin Breaks Silence On Prigozhin's Death  

Putin expresses condolences to families of people killed in crash of Prigozhin’s jet -- TASS 

Putin Offers Condolences to Families of Those Killed in Private Plane Crash in Tver Region -- Sputnik  

Russia's Vladimir Putin sends condolences to family of Wagner boss Prigozhin -- Reuters  

Kremlin’s revenge? Putin refers to ‘serious mistakes’ of Wagner group boss in remarks on plane crash -- AP  

Live: Putin sends 'condolences' over Prigozhin plane crash -- France 24  

Putin breaks silence over Wagner chief Prigozhin’s death in jet crash -- Politico.eu  

Putin confirms death of Prigozhin -- The Guardian

Ukraine President Zelensky Says Kyiv Had ‘Nothing To Do’ With Prigozhin Plane Crash

 

RTE: Ukraine had 'nothing to do' with Prigozhin plane crash, Zelensky says  

Ukraine had "nothing to do" with the plane crash that is presumed to have led to the death of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

Mr Prigozhin, who in June attempted to topple Russia's military leadership, was on the passenger list of a plane that crashed yesterday between Moscow and St Petersburg, with all on board killed, Russian officials said. 

There was no official comment from the Kremlin or the Defence Ministry on the fate of Mr Prigozhin, a self-declared enemy of the army's leadership over what he argued was its incompetent prosecution of the war in Ukraine. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: He is joking about it .... 'When Ukraine asked countries for help with planes, we had something else in mind... but it WILL help': Zelensky jokes about Yevgeny Prigozhin's jet crash death as he denies Kyiv involvement (Daily Mail). 

Ukraine President Zelensky Says Kyiv Had ‘Nothing To Do’ With Prigozhin Plane Crash  

Ukraine Had 'Nothing To Do' With Prigozhin Plane Crash: Zelensky -- AFP  

Zelensky says Ukraine played no role in Wagner plane crash -- The Hill  

Zelensky: 'Everyone understands' who is behind Prigozhin's reported death -- Kyiv Independent  

Zelensky comments on Prigozhin's plane crash, denies involvement -- Ukrinform

New York Post Calls Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin A Russian Dissident

Russian dissident Yevgeny Prigozhin reported dead after a plane crash outside Moscow https://t.co/eEhIFsm6PE pic.twitter.com/yh1qLf8BA8

— New York Post (@nypost) August 23, 2023

WNU Editor: LOL!!! Prigozhin is not a Russian dissident.

What Happened To Prigozhin? (Poll)

Let's get the temperature on this. What happened to Prigozhin?

— Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺 (@witte_sergei) August 23, 2023

WNU Editor: There is no evidence. But my gut tells me that Putin is responsible. Specifically .... he may not have directly ordered it, but someone within his inner circle atill sent the order knowing that this is what the boss would have wanted.

Tweets On The Death Of Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin'

BREAKING: Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was aboard a plane that crashed on Wednesday, killing everyone on board, Russia's civil aviation agency said. https://t.co/JnSojxMuGT

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 23, 2023

Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a private jet which crashed north of Moscow with no survivors, Russian authorities said https://t.co/obJsCjB5CX pic.twitter.com/o5uhaFGpEO

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 23, 2023

#UPDATE The head of the Wagner group that in June attempted to topple Russia's military leadership was on board the plane that crashed Wednesday pic.twitter.com/dWe3ae9CXf

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 23, 2023

Russia plane crash: What we know so far https://t.co/Uy2fzhqLcN

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 23, 2023

BREAKING: Private jet carrying Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has crashed with 10 people on board.

No survivors.

Prigozhin was a media favorite back in June when he led led a failed rebellion against Putin.

“Wagner-linked Telegram channel Grey Zone reported the… pic.twitter.com/YuFcUlXGek

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 23, 2023

⚡️‼️ The best close up of the Embraer owned by Wagner boss Prigozhin as it plunged from the sky pic.twitter.com/oaIyfwUhpQ

— What the media hides. (@narrative_hole) August 23, 2023

😢Wagner headquarters https://t.co/r1Ga5tmeJa pic.twitter.com/364kXXLAPU

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) August 23, 2023

“I’m not surprised” — Biden, on Prigozhyn’s death pic.twitter.com/f7Im16WCAt

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) August 23, 2023

Wagner boss Prigozhin's years of living dangerously https://t.co/vQCIvB4tmO

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 23, 2023

Breaking News!! Wagner Group Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Feared Dead In Plane Crash

Witnesses to the crash heard a loud bang before they saw the jet 'fall from the sky' - locals on social media are sharing these images of the aftermath, although it is unconfirmed at this stage if this is the plane  

Daily Mail: Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin feared dead in plane crash: Jet believed to be carrying warlord 'falls from the sky' north of Moscow two months after failed coup 

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is feared dead after a plane – with his name on the passenger list - crashed in Russia tonight, two months after his failed coup attempt against Putin. 

Video footage purportedly shows the aircraft falling out of the sky in the Bologovsky district in the Tver region. 

A burning wreckage, which appears to be of a plane, was later seen in a field, with unconfirmed images showing it completely ablaze. 

It was initially unknown if Wagner chief Prigozhin - known as Putin's chef and with longstanding links to the Kremlin dictator - was on board, but it has since been reported that the passenger list included his name.  

Read more .... 

Update:  Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin listed as passenger on plane which crashed with no survivors, Russian aviation authority says – live (The Guardian)  

WNU Editor: Witnesses are saying they heard a loud bank (explosion?) before they saw the jet "fall from the sky". That tells me there was an explosion (bomb?). 

There has been no official confirmation that he was onboard. 

A lot of people want Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin dead. Ukrainian, Russian, etc. .... the list of his enemies is long. I know in the Kremlin they are not going to cry over his death (if he is dead).

 I am taking my mother for a doctor's appointment right now. I will be updating this story within two hours.

Russia's Wagner Group Surrenders Their Heavy Weapons

 

RT: Wagner Group surrenders heavy weapons (VIDEO)  

The private military company handed over 2,000 pieces of military hardware, with the transfer process nearly complete  

The Wagner Group private military company has surrendered more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware to Russia’s military inventory, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The transfer process is going “according to plan” and is nearing completion. 

The inventory includes hundreds of heavy weaponry pieces, including main battle tanks of various types, multiple rocket launcher systems, self-propelled and towed artillery, anti-aircraft systems, and other combat vehicles, the ministry said in a statement. The military also released a video, showing rows of tracked and wheeled combat vehicles, as well as other equipment kept at undisclosed locations.  

Read more .... 

Russia's Wagner Group Surrenders Their Heavy Weapons  

Russian Military Completes Receiving Wagner’s Weapons, Equipment -- Sputnik  

Russia’s Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military -- AP  

Russia Says Received Over 2K Items of Military Hardware from Wagner -- AFP  

Wagner hands over arms, claims Russian Defence Ministry -- Euronews  

Video captures the disarming of Wagner in the aftermath of its mutiny, showing the Russian military now has its T-90 tanks and other heavy weapons -- Business Insider  

Wagner Turns Over 2,000 Heavy Weapons Including Tanks, SAM Systems -- Warzone/The Drive

Will Wager Continue To Operate In Africa And The Middle East?

DW: Russia's Wagner Group: Where is it active? 

Russia's notorious private military company, the Wagner Group, has been training soldiers, escorting politicians and allegedly committing human rights violations all over the globe for years. 

The Wagner Group isn't just active in Ukraine. It also has a presence in many other countries, including Syria or Mali. 

And it's not the only Russian private military company either. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in these kinds of groups, also known as PMCs, in Russia, a report from the US-based think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says. 

It is not always possible to accurately track the exact activities of the Wagner Group, headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, and other PMCs because they allegedly act independently of the Russian government and conventional military forces. However analysts believe that the group is likely active in more than 30 countries around the world.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I expect no changes in the Wagner Group's operations overseas. 

More News On The Wager Group's Operations Overseas  

Wagner Will Continue Mali, C. Africa Operations – Lavrov -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Wagner Revolt in Russia Clouds Outlook for Its Operations in Africa -- Reuters  

Russia mutiny raises questions on Wagner overseas operations -- France 24  

What the Wagner Group's insurrection means for the Middle East and Africa -- Middle East Eye  

What next for Wagner operations in Africa after end of mutiny in Moscow? -- Africa News

Central Africa Says Mysterious Aircraft Dropped Bombs Near A Base Used By Russia's Wagner Group Fighters

The President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin-Archange Touadera - Gehad Hamdy/dpa © Provided by News 360 

Insider: Mysterious aircraft dropped bombs near a base for Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries fighting in Central African Republic 

* An unknown aircraft dropped bombs near a Wagner Group base in the Central African Republic. 

* It was unclear who targeted the Russia-linked mercenary group, which has fighters there. 

* Wagner personnel have been deployed to numerous battlefields, including in Ukraine.  

A mysterious aircraft that flew from an unknown destination dropped bombs this week near a base housing Russia-linked Wagner Group mercenaries in the Central African Republic, who responded with bursts of weapons fire that scared local residents.  

The attack occurred Monday morning local time at a base in Bossangoa, which is a town located in the middle of the country, nearly 200 miles north of the capital city Bangui, according to multiple reports. It was not immediately known where the aircraft came from, or from which entity it may belong to, nor was it clear how many casualties the group suffered.    

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Who green-lighted this attack?  My money is on the US.

Central Africa Says Mysterious Aircraft Dropped Bombs Near A Base Used By Russia's Wagner Group Fighters  

Unknown aircraft targets Wagner base in C. African Republic -- AP  

Central Africa says border nation bombed its troops and Russian allies -- AFP  

CAR government claims that a plane bombed western CAR on Sunday night -- News 360

Is Russia The Reason Why There Was A Coup In Burkina Faso This Week?

The Cyber Shafarat - Treadstone 71  

Daily Beast: African President Was Ousted Just Weeks After Refusing to Pay Russian Paramilitaries 

Coup leader tried, and failed, to persuade the Burkina Faso president to sanction the introduction of Russian mercenaries before kicking him out of office. 

ABUJA, Nigeria—One of the Burkina Faso president’s final acts in office was refusing to sanction the use of Russian paramilitaries on his soil. 

The leader of this week’s successful military coup against him was the very man who tried to pressure him into accepting help from Moscow, sources in the former president’s camp told The Daily Beast. 

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, a lieutenant colonel, was promoted last month to oversee security in the capital city of Ouagadougou. On two occasions he sought to persuade President Roch Kabore to engage Russia’s black ops outfit the Wagner Group, according to two officials who were part of the president's communications team.  

Read more ....  

Update: After Coup in Burkina Faso, Protesters Turn to Russia for Help (GodFreyTimes/New York Times)  

WNU Editor: Western military assistance has failed in stopping the rise of Islamist militancy in this part of Africa. In the case of Burkina Faso, Islamist militants have conducted a number of successful and bloody attacks. 

Desperate times results in desperate measures, and we can see it in this country. 

Will Russian mercenaries make a difference? 

I am not sure about that. But for the new rulers of Burkina Faso they are clearly hoping that they will.

U.S. Warns Mali To Not Make A Deal To Employ Russian Mercenaries

FILE - A photo published by the Security Service of Ukraine purports to show Wagner Group mercenaries at an unidentified location. (ssu.gov.ua)  

VOA: Pentagon Warns Against Deal Bringing Russian Mercenaries to Mali  

WASHINGTON — Add U.S. military officials to the crescendo of voices warning Mali's interim government against brokering any deal to use mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group to help with security and counterterrorism. 

For weeks, U.S. and French officials have publicly tried to dissuade Malian leaders from moving forward with a reported deal that would pay Wagner $10.8 million a month for 1,000 mercenaries to train Mali's military and provide security for senior officials. 

Now, the Pentagon says such a deal could cost Mali in multiple ways.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This warning is a joke. The US suspended support following the August 2020 coup that saw elements of the Malian military depose the country's elected leaders. The US has very little leverage. 

As for the Europeans, they are hoping a new task force will be more successful in the war against the militants in Mali .... New European Taskforce Takes on Mali's Elusive Militants (US News and World Report/Reuters). I hope they succeed because efforts by France and its European allies have failed miserably ....  

.... Violent attacks across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso that have increased eight-fold in 2015 to 2020, according to the United Nations. This has driven 2 million from their homes and left swathes of territory out of governments' control.

Russian Mercenaries From The Wagner Group Are Now Flying Combat Missions Over Libya

Russian fighter jets were recently deployed to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there. (U.S. Africa Command photo)

Task & Purpose: Russian mercenaries are now flying combat missions over Libya

US Africa Command official provides dates of two MiG-29 losses and reiterates the jets’ connections to Wagner Group.

Russian mercenaries with the infamous Wagner Group are now flying combat missions in Libya, said Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, director of intelligence for U.S. Africa Command.

AFRICOM first confirmed in May that the Russians had sent at least 14 MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter aircraft to Libya to support local strongman Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, a onetime CIA asset.

Since then, defense officials have said the mercenary pilots were learning how to operate their Russian fighters, but Berg told reporters on Friday that AFRICOM believes the Russian aircraft have also flown in combat.

Two of the Russian MiGs have crashed since arriving in Libya – the first on June 28th and the second on Sept. 7, Berg said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Russians are suffering loses in Libya .... Two Russian MiG-29s Have Crashed In Libya According To Top American Intel Official (WarzoneThe Drive).