'Absolute lie': Kremlin rejects Yevgeny Prigozhin killed on its orders
Kremlin on Friday dismissed rumours it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, presumed dead in a plane crash two months after leading a mutiny in Russia.
It also announced by decree that Russian paramilitary fighters will be obliged to swear an oath to the Russian flag, part of measures to rein in groups like Wagner in the wake of the uprising.
Speculation the Kremlin may have been involved in the crash has swirled since Wednesday, when a private jet reportedly carrying Prigozhin crashed between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
The rumours have been voiced by Western countries, Kremlin critics and even suggested by some pro-Kremlin figures.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the incident as «tragic» to reporters on Friday and acknowledged public discourse around foul play and possible involvement of the authorities.
«Of course, in the West, this speculation is being presented from a certain angle. All of this is an absolute lie,» Peskov said, urging patience and adding that ongoing probes would reveal facts around the fatal crash.
Russian officials have opened an investigation into air traffic violations but have so far not disclosed details of the probe or the incident.
President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on the crash Thursday, offering condolences to the families of the 10 people onboard and describing the incident as a «tragedy.»
He said Prigozhin, who in June led an armed mutiny against Russia's military leadership, had made some «serious mistakes in his life» and had a «complicated fate.»
— Suspicious timing — The short-lived but bloody unrest was seen by observers as having been the biggest threat to Putin's long rule.
Moscow has not yet confirmed Prigozhin's death.
