No matter what anyone says, there will always be a solid thought in most minds that it was a hit by Putin to take Prigozhin out for what he did. Look at the comments here for example. Everyone knew it was coming and many are surprised it took so long. The message is loud and clear. If Prigozhin was shot in Africa by some “African adversary”, the message would still be loud and clear. Furthermore, provided it was an explosive device on board, it isn’t exactly easy to get it past security and into the plane at Sheremetyevo airport.
The Wagner “damage control“ and reorganization started the day after the coup in; it started in Syria and unnamed countries in Africa at the time. I posted a link here then with Russian officials and military rank fly out to those destinations and “wagners” that matter flying out from. Today’s article indicates just as much with some dealings being handled as late as yesterday and the day before. It also mentions that there might be difficulties in regards to the economic assets that Wagner managed overseas, but I am sure that can be resolved as well. Note the loud and clear comments from CAR:
In CAR, President Faustin-Archange Touadera's political adviser Fidele Gouandjika lamented Prigozhin's death as "a great sadness" because his men "helped save democracy" in their role helping the government in its civil war.
But as Wagner was there through a state-level agreement with Russia, "nothing will affect the presence of these instructors" he said. Prigozhin is "a dead leader, we can replace him" Gouandjika added.
A day before mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane crash, a Russian official visited Libya to reassure allies that fighters from the Wagner Group would remain in the country -- but under Moscow's control.
www.reuters.com
I believe (from memory) that was the same administration that said they’d be just fine with Mozart and Beethoven that Russians send them instead.
It is even almost as if Prigozhin was taken care of once he didn’t have enough leverage and maybe why it didn’t happen when it “should have” when events were unfolding.
Americans, as per article cited in my previous post, believe he is dead as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I think this is simply the most logical explanation for things that happened with the information we have at hand. Is there a possibility he is alive and well? Sure, perhaps. Is there a possibility he is alive and not well, maybe being held together with Surovikin, maybe some torture involved? Sure, why not. We can let our imagination go wild.
As for Putin not commenting “on hits at his behest”, since it is widely believed that Nemtsov was killed on his orders (by many, not all), he made some strong comments when he was murdered, calling it a political killing, should be resolved quickly using all available resources, etc. That’d be from my memory. Instead doesn’t call or refer to people by name that he thinks betrayed him or the State, while they are still alive.
And for whatever it is worth, yesterday I talked to my “childhood friend” or “we went to high school together”, whatever I called him here previously when the “coup” was happening. His words about Prigozhin were (and I am actually having real difficulties translating the simplicity and indifference in his words): “He was risky. Unlucky.” And this does not reflect the indifferent and almost sarcastic tone in the words he chose to use.
I also asked him about Surovikin. The sentiment was different but not the complete opposite. He said that “He probably made a mistake. It’s quite here about him. He was likely mislead.” When I said he seemed to be a capable general and probably missed on the frontline right now. His reply was “Perhaps”. So there isn’t much feeling of any type on the issue. As if it just is and things have to happen that have to happen. This man, of course, knows and understands way more than your average Ivan, simply due to his past experience and his current position.
Edit: I decide to find my previous post just because it shows a difference in sentiment in regards to Prigozhin, at least in this one not irrelevant example:
Edit 2: The “risky” above should be replaced with “risk taker”. Apologies.