Grenade Traces Found In Bodies Of Prigozhin, Others – Putin

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, revealed that explosive traces were discovered in the remains of Wagner mercenary chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin and his crew.

Naija News recalls that their plane crashed between Moscow and Saint Petersburg in August, two months after he led a brief mutiny against Russia’s top military brass.

There had been claims of foul play in the plane crash, which led to the death of Prigozhin.

Putin giving an update on Russia’s investigation into the crash, said, “The head of the Investigative Committee reported to me a few days ago.”

The Russian President stated this at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

He further stated, “Fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of the victims of the air disaster. There was no external impact on the plane.”

Russian investigators have said they are probing all possible scenarios surrounding the crash, including premeditated murder.

Putin on Thursday criticised investigators for not conducting alcohol and drug tests on Prigozhin and the nine other victims of the crash.

He also alleged that five kilogrammes of cocaine were found at the Wagner offices after the mercenary group’s short-lived rebellion.

Putin added, “A blood test for alcohol was not done.

“Even though we know that after the famous events in the (Wagner) company in Saint Petersburg, the FSB (security service) found not only 10 billion in cash, but also five kilogrammes of cocaine.”

Prigozhin led an armed rebellion against Moscow’s military leadership in June, the biggest threat to Putin’s two-decade rule.

After the crash, Putin described him as a man who had made “serious mistakes in his life but he achieved the right results.”