The burial site of the deceased Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has been revealed following a discreet funeral event that notably lacked the attendance of Vladimir Putin.
The gravesite, adorned with red, white, and yellow flowers, was located within a cemetery on the outskirts of St. Petersburg.
The grave, constructed of wood, was vigilantly guarded by both law enforcement officers and private security personnel.
The photographs captured the scene during a private ceremony held for Prigozhin, which took place at the cemetery in his hometown on a Tuesday.
The resting place was marked by a framed picture containing a biblical verse, presenting a poignant message that pondered the relationship between Christ and his mother.
A Farewell Amid Secrecy and Security Measures
The farewell ceremony for Yevgeny Prigozhin transpired within a closed environment, with an announcement on Telegram indicating that individuals wishing to bid farewell could visit the Porokhovskoye cemetery.
The funeral remained veiled in secrecy, attended only by immediate family members and close friends.
Heightened security characterized the entire event, evident through the presence of numerous guards and apparent metal detectors.
His final resting place was reportedly situated beside that of his father, a decision in line with the wishes of his family as communicated by cemetery staff to a Russian news outlet, MSK1.RU.
Putin’s Absence and Denial of Involvement
The question loomed as to whether Russia’s authoritative leader, Vladimir Putin, would be present at the funeral of the Wagner group’s leader.
Despite the historically close relationship between Putin and Prigozhin leading up to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, refrained from confirming Putin’s attendance, citing the president’s busy schedule.
Ultimately, the Kremlin officially announced Putin’s non-participation in the funeral, an outcome that contrasted with speculations regarding his potential involvement in Prigozhin’s demise.
Controversy Surrounding Prigozhin’s Death and Aftermath
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death occurred under contentious circumstances, with his alleged involvement in a coup against Putin preceding his demise in a reported plane crash.
Speculations implicating Putin as the orchestrator of Prigozhin’s death were met with vehement denial by the Kremlin, categorizing such claims as an “absolute lie.”
This perceived revenge plot was rooted in the Wagner group’s takeover of Rostov-on-Don and their subsequent journey towards Moscow during the uprising.
Prigozhin’s funeral, coupled with genetic testing performed by Russia’s Investigative Committee, seemingly confirmed his passing, yet doubts persisted in some quarters about his survival.
Speculations and Future of the Wagner Group
Russian political analyst Dr. Valery Solovey fueled skepticism about Prigozhin’s death by asserting that he was still alive, contrary to the prevailing narrative.
Solovey contested US intelligence’s explanation of the plane crash, suggesting that it was an externally induced event rather than an onboard explosion.
He implicated a secretive operation authorized by Putin himself.
Recently, photographs of Prigozhin emerged, depicting him engaging with locals in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Wagner group, Putin mandated loyalty oaths from its fighters, emphasizing obedience to commanders and senior Russian leaders, thus shaping the group’s trajectory in the wake of its enigmatic leader’s demise.
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