US: ‘Plane Wagner Chief Likely Downed By Bomb’

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Russia’s Wagner mercenaries group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was likely assassinated by a bomb that exploded on the plane he was traveling in on Wednesday, according to briefings from U.S. officials.

Initial U.S. intelligence suggests a bomb or some other form of sabotage caused the plane to crash north of Moscow. Western security sources say they believe Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the assassination.

On Thursday, Russia opened an investigation focusing on a possible bomb plot as Kremlin-linked propagandists blamed Ukraine for what they called a terror attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied Ukraine was responsible.

There is no indication thus far that a missile downed the jet, said U.S. officials who spoke to media on the condition of anonymity to discuss a preliminary assessment.

An explosion was detected along the path of the plane, but there are no signs of a missile launch, U.S. officials added.

U.S. officials say American intelligence has not confirmed Prigozhin’s death, though multiple officials said he was likely killed in the plane crash.

American satellite intelligence did not detect a missile launch, and there is no other evidence a surface-to-air weapon took out the plane, U.S. media reported.

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