In a recent op-ed for the Daily Mail, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson raised allegations regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential involvement in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military group. The group has been linked to various controversial activities around the world. Prigozhin’s plane crashed in a field northwest of Moscow while en route to St. Petersburg. While the cause of the crash remains uncertain, some US and Western intelligence officials, as reported by CNN, believe it was a deliberate act.
Johnson’s op-ed delves into his speculations about Prigozhin’s final moments during the plane crash. He opined that there was likely only a brief moment between the explosion aboard the plane and the crash, during which Prigozhin may have realized the force behind his demise. Johnson implied that Prigozhin may have associated his death with Putin, whom Johnson portrays as responsible for numerous controversial actions, including the poisonings of Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal.
The former Prime Minister also highlighted Prigozhin’s failed rebellion in Russia, which occurred just two months before the plane crash. Experts have questioned the Wagner group’s survival without Prigozhin’s leadership. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov vehemently denied any Russian involvement in Prigozhin’s death and stated that investigations, including genetic testing, are ongoing to determine the cause.
Johnson’s op-ed further suggested that the plane crash signifies a historic moment, showcasing the violent elimination of Putin’s adversaries while he remains in power. Johnson criticized Putin’s response to the incident as emblematic of a gangster mentality, likening it to a scene from “The Godfather.”
Overall, the op-ed reflects Johnson’s perspective on the events surrounding Prigozhin’s death and his belief in Putin’s possible involvement, though these claims remain speculative and controversial. The article highlights the ongoing international scrutiny of Russia’s actions and its leadership’s alleged connections to high-profile incidents.