The head of the PMC E. Prigozhin died in a plane crash in the Tver region on August 23
The plane crash near the airport in Gao in Mali, which occurred on Saturday, could be associated with the Wagner PMC — such versions began to be discussed in a number of Russian telegram channels after information about the plane crash appeared.
Local publication Malijet reported that the plane crashed during landing and caught fire on impact. TASS, citing publications in regional media, reported that the plane probably belonged to the local air force.
However, “information has appeared on the network that the aircraft may belong to a PMC,” noted Podem. At the same time, the publication indicates that later one of the telegram channels, which is associated with the PMC, issued a refutation.
The quoted post says that the Il-76 really crashed, but it was allegedly “used by local forces for transportation cargo.» It is also stated that “there were neither fighters nor pilots of the Wagner group” on board the plane at the time of the crash.