Ukrainian forces have made significant advances in Bakhmut and Melitopol, while Russian missile strikes have injured seven people in Dnipro, according to reports by Al Jazeera. Ukrainian authorities also claim to have conducted a successful special operation, which resulted in the destruction of a Russian-occupied S-400 air defense battery in Crimea.
Following the destruction of Yevgenyi Prigozhin’s aircraft, a preliminary US intelligence assessment suggests that the incident was an intentional explosion, according to anonymous sources cited by the Associated Press. The US Defense Department has denied reports that a missile was responsible for the downing of the plane. However, there are suspicions that the explosion is consistent with President Putin’s track record of eliminating opponents. Russian officials have dismissed Western claims that President Putin ordered the killing of Prigozhin as “an absolute lie.” They have also refused to officially confirm Prigozhin’s death, although a funeral is said to be planned for the Wagner Group boss. President Putin expressed his condolences to the families of all the victims, describing Prigozhin as a man with a difficult fate who made serious mistakes in life.
The UK’s Ministry of Defense has examined the implications of Prigozhin’s death. It is highly likely that he died in the plane crash, as his security measures were exceptional. His demise is expected to have a destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group, as his leadership style and qualities are unlikely to be matched by any successor. The reports of the deaths of Wagner founder Dmitry Utkin and logistics chief Valery Chekalov would further contribute to the leadership vacuum in the group.
The Institute for the Study of War predicts that the Wagner Group will no longer exist as an independent military structure following the deaths of Prigozhin, Utkin, and Chekalov. The assassination of these key figures is believed to have been carried out by President Putin.
The question of who is responsible for the destruction of Prigozhin’s plane is currently under debate. The prevailing theories in Russia suggest that either the Anglo-Saxons or the Ukrainians planted a bomb on board. Russian state television presenter Vladimir Solovyov has presented all three theories – including one proposing that it was due to bad weather. Solovyov leans towards the belief that the Anglo-Saxons were behind the crime, claiming that Prigozhin and the Wagner Group posed no threat to the Kremlin or Russia, but were a significant threat to European countries. Solovyov dismisses any suggestion that Putin would benefit from the death of Prigozhin, highlighting Putin’s reputation for keeping his word and upholding the law. He accuses the Anglo-Saxons of being behind the crime and suggests that the Ukrainians, who see Prigozhin as their number one target, may also be responsible.
A new hacktivist group called KittenSec has emerged and claims to be connected to other hacktivist groups such as ThreatSec and GhostSec. While GhostSec has targeted Russian entities during the ongoing war, KittenSec denies having any involvement in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The group says its operations are focused on tackling corruption and has targeted countries in retaliation for their alleged attacks on human rights. However, KittenSec maintains that its activities are not financially motivated.
Overall, these recent developments in Ukraine and Russia have sparked debates and theories about the destruction of Prigozhin’s plane and the implications it may have on the Wagner Group. The involvement of hacktivist group KittenSec further adds to the complexity of the situation, as it claims to be fighting corruption and targeting NATO members in retaliation for perceived violations of human rights. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen how these events will shape the future dynamics in the region.