Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, 9 others die in plane crash

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Russian mercenary group Wagner is dead.

Russian state media said Prigozhin was aboard the Embraer aircraft that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow on Wednesday.

There were nine other people on board, TASS news agency reported earlier on Wednesday, citing the emergencies ministry.

The plane, which was en route from Moscow to St Petersburg, was carrying seven passengers and three crew, TASS reported.

TASS in an update confirmed Wagner’s death.

The agency said the war monger was listed on the manifest, quoting Rosaviatsia, Russia’s aviation authority.

“An investigation has been launched into the Embraer plane crash that occurred tonight in the Tver region.

“According to the passenger list, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin,” Rosaviatsia said.

Prigozhin was last seen in a video on 21 August, since he led a short-lived mutiny in late June.

In the video, Prigozhin is seen standing in a desert in camouflage with a rifle in his hands.

In the distance are more armed men and a pickup truck.

Prigozhin’s comments and some posts in the pro-Wagner channels suggested it was filmed in Africa.