MOSCOW: Russian investigators said on Sunday that genetic tests had confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the Wagner mercenary group, was among the 10 people killed in a plane crash last week.
Russia's aviation agency had previously published the names of all 10 on board the private jet which crashed in the Tver region northwest of Moscow on Wednesday. They included Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, his right-hand man who helped found the Wagner group.
"As part of the investigation of the plane crash in the Tver region, molecular-genetic examinations have been completed," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.
"According to their results, the identities of all 10 dead were established. They correspond to the list stated in the flight sheet," it said.
There had been some speculation, especially on pro-Wagner Telegram channels, about whether Prigozhin - who was known to take various security precautions in anticipation of a possible attempt on his life - had really been on the doomed flight.
Authorities have yet to say what they believe caused his private jet to fall from the sky.
'STAB IN THE BACK'
The crash came two months to the day after Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries staged a mutiny against Russian military commanders in which they took control of a southern city, Rostov, and advanced towards Moscow before turning back 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.
Muscovites laid flowers on Sunday at a makeshift shrine festooned with Russian flags and photographs set up a short distance from the Kremlin to the memory of Prigozhin and Utkin.
"I have got used to comrades in arms dying," said Dmitry Karpov, who wore military fatigues, adding that Prigozhin had shown by his actions how things should be done in wartime. "Such people remain in history as an example."
Another man who came to pay his respects, Alexander Dykhov, alluded to criticism by President Vladimir Putin of Prigozhin's past mistakes. "The talk about some mistakes, different opinions, I think all this will be forgotten. And in people's memory there will be the image of a hero. He and Dmitry Utkin are real heroes."
Putin described the June 23-24 mutiny as a treacherous "stab in the back", but later met with Prigozhin in the Kremlin. He sent his condolences on Thursday to the families of those killed in the crash.
Western politicians and commentators have suggested, without presenting evidence, that Putin ordered Prigozhin to be killed as punishment for the mutiny, which also represented the biggest challenge to Putin's own rule since he came to power in 1999.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that such suggestions were "an absolute lie". Asked whether Putin might attend Prigozhin's funeral, Peskov said it was too early to say and also noted the president's "busy schedule".
Wagner fighters played a prominent role in the fighting in eastern Ukraine, especially in the months-long siege of the city of Bakhmut, despite Prigozhin's frequent, profanity-laced attacks on Russia's military high command over their conduct of the war that culminated in the failed mutiny.
The Wagner fighters have now left Ukraine and some have relocated to neighbouring Belarus under the terms of a deal that ended their mutiny.
Some are expected to be absorbed into Russia's armed forces but many will be angry over the sudden demise of the group's founder who inspired a high degree of loyalty among his men.
Putin paid a mixed tribute to Prigozhin on Thursday, describing him as a "talented businessman" but also as a flawed character who "made serious mistakes in life".
Reuters
Mon Aug 28 2023
![Russia says genetic tests confirm Wagner chief Prigozhin died in plane crash Russia says genetic tests confirm Wagner chief Prigozhin died in plane crash](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71692938681_memorial.jpg)
A view shows portraits of Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner group commander Dmitry Utkin at a makeshift memorial in Moscow, Russia. - REUTERS
![Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720349985_TBmassage.jpg)
Polis serbu 10 premis urut tawar khidmat seks, tahan 39 wanita warga asing
Polis menahan 39 wanita warga asing yang disyaki bekerja sebagai pekerja seks dan tukang urut dalam serbuan di 10 premis urut sekitar Lembah Klang, Jumaat lepas.
PDRM kutip lebih RM1 juta diskaun saman
Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Kontinjen Pahang Deputi superintanden Ahmad Ridha Hariri berkata jumlah itu ialah hasil bayaran yang diterima daripada 2,000 pengunjung yang mendapatkan tawaran diskaun 50 peratus daripada PDRM.
AWANI Ringkas: Tuntutan RM100 juta tidak berasas
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Borneo [07/07/2024] - Tiada kemalangan jiwa | PRN Sabah | Maal Hijrah 2024
Awani Borneo 7 Julai 2024 bersama Jasmine Abu Bakar;
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
![Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720350574_ExistsUngu.jpg)
Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini
Bakal berlangsung selama 3 jam setengah ini, konsert ini akan dipenuhi dengan lagu-lagu hit daripada dua buah kumpulan ini.
Urus tadbir perlu bersifat telus, ambil kira cabaran rakyat
Premier Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg mahu urus tadbir wilayah itu sentiasa mengambil kira cabaran yang dihadapi oleh manusia sejagat.
Pendekatan agresif noktahkan miskin tegar di Sabah
Kerajaan Negeri Sabah terus mengambil pendekatan bersifat agresif bagi menoktahkan isu miskin tegar di Sabah.
Graduan Iban pertama Universiti Al-Azhar penerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak 1446H
Graduan Iban pertama yang melanjutkan pengajian ke Universiti Al-Azhar di Kaherah, Mesir antara 14 penerima yang menerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak pada Majlis Perhimpunan Ma’al Hijrah Peringkat Sarawak Tahun 1446H/2024M di Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, Kuching hari ini.
![Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720347946_Badminton.jpg)
Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia
Beregu lelaki negara Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai gagal mengakhiri kemarau kejuaraan selama tujuh tahun Malaysia di Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Asia.
Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shafie
Presiden Parti Warisan, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal memberitahu parti berasal dari Sarawak tidak perlu memasuki Sabah untuk mengukuhkan kerjasama blok borneo.
![Serpihan bom tangan ditemui dalam mayat Prigozhin - Putin Serpihan bom tangan ditemui dalam mayat Prigozhin - Putin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41692914698_TBYevgenyPrigozhin.jpg)
Serpihan bom tangan ditemui dalam mayat Prigozhin - Putin
Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin mengulas mengenai nahas pesawat yang mengorbankan ketua kumpulan tentera upahan Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41680607592_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Ketua Wagner Prigozhin disemadikan secara tertutup di St Petersburg Ketua Wagner Prigozhin disemadikan secara tertutup di St Petersburg](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61693364818_grave.jpg)
Ketua Wagner Prigozhin disemadikan secara tertutup di St Petersburg
Atas permintaan keluarga Prigozhin, hanya ahli keluarga dan rakan rapatnya dijemput untuk menghadiri upacara itu.
![Pihak berkuasa Rusia sahkan kematian ketua Wagner Prigozhin Pihak berkuasa Rusia sahkan kematian ketua Wagner Prigozhin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41692914698_TBYevgenyPrigozhin.jpg)
Pihak berkuasa Rusia sahkan kematian ketua Wagner Prigozhin
Pihak berkuasa Rusia secara rasmi mengesahkan kematian ketua kumpulan upahan Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
![Ketua Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin 'berkemungkinan tinggi' maut - Perisik Britain Ketua Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin 'berkemungkinan tinggi' maut - Perisik Britain](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41692914698_TBYevgenyPrigozhin.jpg)
Ketua Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin 'berkemungkinan tinggi' maut - Perisik Britain
Perisik Britain telah memberi pandangan mengenai senario melibatkan ketua kumpulan tentera upahan Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin yang dipercayai maut dalam nahas sebuah pesawat pada Rabu.
![Putin buka mulut isu kematian ketua Wagner, ucap takziah Putin buka mulut isu kematian ketua Wagner, ucap takziah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/51687581294_TBYevgenyPrigozhin.jpg)
Putin buka mulut isu kematian ketua Wagner, ucap takziah
Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarga mereka yang maut pada Rabu apabila jet peribadi yang membawa ketua kumpulan tentera upahan Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin terhempas.
![Kematian ketua kumpulan Wagner disengajakan - Perisikan AS Kematian ketua kumpulan Wagner disengajakan - Perisikan AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41692914698_TBYevgenyPrigozhin.jpg)
Kematian ketua kumpulan Wagner disengajakan - Perisikan AS
Prigozhin merupakan individu yang menjadi sasaran kerana dianggap mencabar kempimpinan Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin selama 23 tahun.
![Saluran Telegram ketua Wagner dakwa pesawat ditembak jatuh Saluran Telegram ketua Wagner dakwa pesawat ditembak jatuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/51692855604_crashsite.jpg)
Saluran Telegram ketua Wagner dakwa pesawat ditembak jatuh
Saluran Telegram Yevgeny Prigozhin mendakwa pesawat ketua tentera upahan Wagner, di mana beliau dikatakan maut dalam nahas, telah ditembak jatuh di ruang udara Rusia dalam satu serangan terancang.
![Ketua, komander kanan Wagner dalam jet terhempas di Rusia Ketua, komander kanan Wagner dalam jet terhempas di Rusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61692847283_PLANECRASH.jpg)
Ketua, komander kanan Wagner dalam jet terhempas di Rusia
Saluran Telegram Grey Zone, yang berkaitan dengan Wagner menyatakan Prigozhin telah meninggal dunia.
![Jet Rusia terhempas: 10 penumpang termasuk anak kapal maut Jet Rusia terhempas: 10 penumpang termasuk anak kapal maut](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61692834258_TBcrashsiteprivatE.jpg)
Jet Rusia terhempas: 10 penumpang termasuk anak kapal maut
Sebuah jet peribadi terhempas di Rusia pada hari Rabu, membunuh semua 10 orang di dalamnya.