What is the Wagner Group?

Reported death of leader Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves future of Russian mercenary group in doubt

Russian-speaking troops without insignia stationed outside a Ukrainian military base in Crimea in 2014
Russian-speaking troops without insignia stationed outside a Ukrainian military base in Crimea in 2014
(Image credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The head of the Wagner Group of mercenaries has reportedly been killed in a plane crash, putting Russia’s internal security and the future of the controversial military unit in jeopardy.

Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed as one of seven passengers on a private aircraft flying from Moscow to St Petersburg when it came down near the city of Tver. The passengers and three crew all died, according to Russia’s emergencies ministry.

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Rebekah Evans joined The Week as newsletter editor in 2023 and has written on subjects ranging from Ukraine and Afghanistan to fast fashion and "brotox". She started her career at Reach plc, where she cut her teeth on news, before pivoting into personal finance at the height of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. Social affairs is another of her passions, and she has interviewed people from across the world and from all walks of life. Rebekah completed an NCTJ with the Press Association and has written for publications including The Guardian, The Week magazine, the Press Association and local newspapers.