A Russian political analyst has claimed that warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin is still alive after his doppelgänger was killed in last week’s plane crash – and not the Wagner chief himself.
Prigozhin, according to Dr. Valery Solovey, is “alive, well and free” in an unnamed country, even as Russia hosts his funeral, which Vladimir Putin refuses to attend.
The astonishing claim implies that Prigozhin cheated on an assassination attempt approved by Putin and drafted by his Security Council.
Prigozhin is now plotting revenge, says the political analyst, a former professor at Moscow’s prestigious Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), a training school for spies and diplomats.
Dr. Solovey accuses Russian authorities of lying about Prigozhin’s DNA found at the crash site in the Tver region, while they were aware that the attempt to kill the Wagner supremo had failed because a doppelgänger – known to be the warlord used it – got on the plane. in it’s place.
A Russian political analyst has claimed warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) is alive after his double body perished in last week’s plane crash – and not the Wagner chief himself
This image circulating on Russia’s Telegram channels claims to show the fake passport of a Prigozhin body double
The scene of the plane crash last Wednesday in Russia’s Tver region
According to Putin critic Dr Valery Solovey, Prigozhin is ‘alive, well and free’ in an unnamed country, even as Russia hosts his funeral, which Vladimir Putin refuses to attend
“First, the plane Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to be flying in was shot down by a Russian air defense system,” he said, disputing claims by U.S. intelligence agencies that the plane was destroyed by an onboard explosion.
“There was no explosion on board. It was brought down from the outside.”
The covert operation to carry out this attack “was developed in the (Russian) Security Council, and was personally sanctioned by the Russian President (Vladimir Putin).”
The warlord is now “alive, well and free,” Solovey claims.
“Prigozhin himself was not on board. His doppelgänger flew instead of him. Vladimir Putin is well aware of this, by the way.
“If you believe the official statements of the Russian authorities, what can I say…?”
Dr. Solovey said he would reveal Prigozhin’s supposed country of exile early next month, but denied it is in Africa where Wagner’s private army has multiple interests.
However, Prigozhin — whose funeral is expected soon and whom Putin refuses to attend — wanted to show himself at the end of this year.
Putin’s spokesman said: “There is no provision for the presence of the president. We don’t have specific information about burials. Still, the decision about this is made by family and friends.’
The exiled Prigozhin was preparing for revenge, Dr. Solovey stressed.
“How did he live when his closest people died? This is the choice he (Prigozhin) faced.
“I’m not talking about the moral side of this choice. God forbid any of us should be faced with such a choice.
“He intends to take revenge for being faced with such a choice. He intends to take revenge on people who wanted to destroy him, and on people close to him.’
Among those who died were Wagner’s military commander Dmitry Utkin, 53, and flight attendant Kristina Raspopova, 39, who revealed to her relatives both a flight delay and that the plane had undergone repairs before its doomed final journey.
Prigozhin has access to £1.6bn worth of bitcoin, Solovey said – a fund he will use to strike back.
That’s more than enough for revenge. As for ambition, energy and courage, he has them in abundance.’
According to Russian officials, Prigozhin’s remains were positively identified after the plane crash
A view shows a makeshift memorial to Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, and Dmitry Utkin, the group commander, in Moscow, Russia, August 29, 2023
Prigozhin used wigs and fake beards for disguises in Africa and the Middle East as he promoted Putin’s interests and deployed Wagner forces
Dr. Solovey has long claimed knowledge of the Kremlin and regularly claims that Putin is seriously ill, as well as using body doubles to mask his condition.
In the aftermath of the June coup led by Prigozhin, photos of the warlord’s alleged doubles surfaced.
One was pictured in a Russian passport with the name Prigozhin. Prigozhin was also depicted in a passport with a false name.
He used wigs and fake beards for disguises in Africa and the Middle East, while promoting Putin’s interests and deploying Wagner forces.
One disguise showed him as an employee of the Ministry of Defense in Sudan, the other as an assistant diplomat from Abu Dhabi.
In a third, he was mocked as a senior lieutenant from Benghazi in Libya.
The versatile Prigozhin – whose Wagner troops have been deployed to many countries – also posed as a colonel from Tripoli, a “merchant from Syria” and a field commander named Mohammed.
But the Russian Commission of Inquiry insisted he was dead, as evidenced by the fact that his DNA was found on a corpse at the scene of the plane crash.
Others have speculated that Prigozhin is still alive.
Political scientist Ekaterina Shulman said, “To hide forever and take one of the many spare passports with you, a burnt-out plane is also a good reason.”
And former Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak — known as Putin’s goddaughter — said: “My feeling is that we are burying (Prigozhin) too soon.”
A survey by the Brief Telegram channel found that 38 percent believe Prigozhin is still alive.