Kjell Engelbrekt, professor of political science at the Swedish Defence University, has stated that news of the death of Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, will spark speculation about the Kremlin’s involvement. Ten people are reported to have been killed in the plane crash in Russia on Wednesday, and Russian authorities have confirmed that Prigozhin is one of the victims. Engelbrekt believes that the accident will lead to discussions about the Kremlin’s – and President Vladimir Putin’s – involvement. Prigozhin has been known for openly criticising the Russian military leadership, and he led a military uprising in late June. Engelbrekt points out that several high-ranking politicians and military personnel have died in controversial incidents in recent years. Russia expert Bo Petersson finds it hard to believe that it was an accident if Prigozhin was indeed on board. Petersson states that it is unlikely that Putin forgives his enemies. Lieutenant Colonel Johan Huovinen, a military strategist and lecturer at the Swedish Defence University, agrees that it is unlikely that it was an accident. However, Huovinen affirms that it is not yet clear what happened to the plane, but it is far-fetched to believe it could be an accident.
