Moscow, Russia: Anonymous intelligence sources have implicated Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, in the orchestration of the murder of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the notorious private military company (PMC) “Wagner.”
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Patrushev had been warning Russian President Vladimir Putin about Prigozhin’s growing influence since the summer of 2022, but his concerns went unheeded until a dramatic turn of events in October 2022.
The Kremlin, initially dismissive of Patrushev’s warnings, changed its stance when Prigozhin directly contacted Putin in October 2022, citing a critical shortage of ammunition that resulted in heavy losses for PMC Wagner on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Patrushev, who happened to be in Putin’s office at the time, witnessed Prigozhin’s complaints. The President allegedly ignored subsequent pleas and public conflicts with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The turning point came in June 2023 when Prigozhin, frustrated with the lack of support, initiated a rebellion. Patrushev reportedly seized this opportunity to rid Putin of Prigozhin’s influence once and for all.
Following the withdrawal of PMC Wagner mercenaries from Belarus, facilitated by Alexander Lukashenko, and Putin’s promise to halt the persecution of the rebels, Patrushev allegedly began crafting a plan to eliminate Prigozhin.
According to WSJ’s sources, Putin did not object to the assassination plans. An undercover operation unfolded, involving the planting of a small bomb under the wing of Prigozhin’s Embraer-135 private jet as it prepared to take off from Sheremetyevo Airport on August 23.
Half an hour into the flight, the plane crashed in the Tver region, claiming the lives of all ten individuals on board. Eyewitnesses reported an explosion on board, adding credence to the theory of foul play.
The intricate details of this covert operation raise serious questions about the internal power struggles within the Russian government and the extent to which influential figures are willing to go to eliminate perceived threats.
Patrushev’s alleged involvement in orchestrating Prigozhin’s assassination underscores the complex dynamics at play, revealing a deep-seated rift within the Russian political and military apparatus.
The Kremlin has yet to officially respond to these explosive allegations, and international observers are closely monitoring developments.
The implications of this revelation extend beyond the borders of Russia, raising concerns about the stability of private military entities and their connections to high-ranking officials.
As investigations unfold, the world awaits further revelations that could potentially reshape the geopolitical landscape and impact Russia’s internal power dynamics.
The shadowy world of private military companies, often operating beyond the scrutiny of conventional international law, faces renewed scrutiny in the aftermath of this shocking revelation.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members