MOSCOW (AP) — For the past 23 years of Vladimir Putin’s presidency, there has been a suspiciously high number of individuals who have crossed the Russian President and met untimely deaths. From political opponents to investigative journalists, cunning spies to now Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, a tragically long list of people have died under suspicious circumstances, or barely escaped with their lives. Prigozhin is believed to have perished in a mysterious plane crash potentially caused by a bomb. The disaster in the Tver region occurred two months after he staged a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military brass and was labeled a “traitor” by Putin.
During Prigozhin’s rebellion, he dismissed warnings from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko about the deadly ramifications of the armed uprising, according to Lukashenko. Prigozhin, who owned the private military contractor Wagner Group, had planned to capture the Russian military’s top officials during his attempted coup.
Despite leading an armed insurrection against the Kremlin, Prigozhin and his mercenary fighting force did not face charges and were instead exiled. He started his career as a petty criminal and was convicted of robbery and assault in 1981, serving 12 years in prison.
The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in successful or attempted assassinations, slamming Western insinuations as a “complete lie.” Despite this denial, the deaths and attempted killings of those opposing Putin have left a trail of grief and suspicion in their wake, raising ongoing concerns about the safety of those who dare to challenge the Russian President’s authority.
These cases represent a troubling pattern, leaving many to question the legitimacy and transparency of the Putin-led government. As the world continues to observe these developments, the deaths surrounding Putin’s opponents remain a subject of international scrutiny and intrigue.