New Delhi: Even after the reported death and private burial of Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, in a plane crash, persistent rumors of his survival continue to circulate.
A recently surfaced video shows Prigozhin talking about surviving assassination attempts, adding to the speculation that the Russian figure may still be alive, according to a report by the New York Post.
The video was released on a Telegram channel linked to Prigozhin’s mercenary group a week after he was reported dead in the plane crash.
Addressing the rumors about his well-being, Prigozhin, 62, can be heard saying in the video, “Regarding those speculating about my existence and well-being, let me clarify: it’s the weekend, second half of August 2023, and I’m in Africa,” as presented by the Grey Zone Telegram channel affiliated with Wagner, the report stated.
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He nonchalantly concludes, “So, for those who enjoy deliberating my elimination or personal matters, my earnings, or anything else — everything is fine,” waving his hand.
The video lacks specific details about its time and location and was posted without commentary.
Prigozhin’s attire in the video mirrors his appearance in an Africa video from August 21, shortly before his reported death in a private jet crash on August 23, along with other key Wagner figures and bodyguards, following his labeling as a “traitor” by President Vladimir Putin.
The mention of the “weekend” in the recent clip suggests filming between August 19 and August 20, just before the plane crash.
While the Grey Zone didn’t explicitly suggest Prigozhin’s survival, the timing of the video’s release and his remarks on evading “liquidation” attempts have fueled ongoing speculations about his status.
Dr. Valery Solovey, a former professor at Moscow State Institute of International Relations, has also speculated that Prigozhin was not on the crashed jet. He suggested that Prigozhin’s body double may have been on the flight instead, implying that Putin is aware of this situation.
Solovey claimed in a YouTube interview that the true leader of Wagner is “alive, well, and at liberty,” further asserting that Prigozhin plans to seek revenge against those he believes plotted his downfall.
Prigozhin has previously been presumed dead in a 2019 military aircraft crash in Congo, only to reappear alive and well three days later.
Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee, in its examination of the plane crash, has confirmed Prigozhin’s death through genetic testing, identifying him among the 10 victims.