Putin Finally Breaks Silence Over Death of Wagner Boss, Prigozhin, Others

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Army confirms killing of four soldiers by Boko Haram in deadly midnight raid on Borno

By Obinna Uballa Four Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead and five others injured after Boko Haram terrorists launched a fierce midnight attack on a military base in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Road in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. The assault, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, was met with stiff resistance…

Super Eagles Keep World Cup Dream Alive with Crucial 2–1 Win Over Lesotho

By Obinna Uballa Nigeria’s Super Eagles revived their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a determined 2–1 victory over Lesotho on Friday, a much-needed result that keeps them in contention ahead of the final round of qualifiers. After a cagey and goalless first half, captain William Troost-Ekong broke the deadlock in…

Oil Drops Below $60 on Gaza Ceasefire

WTI crude fell below $60 per barrel as easing Middle East tensions and weak China–U.S. sentiment erased much of oil’s geopolitical risk premium. Friday, October 10, 2025 The relatively successful implementation of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal has lowered geopolitical risk premiums in oil futures and sent front-month ICE Brent prices below $64 per barrel. The…

Ad

By Ayo Yusuf

For the first time, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has responded to Wednesday’s plane crash in which Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, was killed.

In a televised speech, Mr. Putin promised to ensure that investigators look into what happened during the crash but warned that it will take time.

The President said he was told about Wednesday’s plane crash on Thursday morning. In his condolence message to the families of the dead, Mr. Putin described the Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin as a talented businessman.

TheNewDiplomat reported, Wednesday, that Wagner boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was feared dead in a private plane that crashed in Russia.

Russian state-run news agencies had said that Mr. Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner group that led a mutiny against Russia’s army in June, was on the list of passengers of a plane that crashed.

At least ten people were killed when a Russian plane crashed in the Tver Region reported Russia’s aviation agency Rosaviatsia, TASS news agency, RIA Novosti and Interfax.

Barely three days ago on Monday, Mr Prigozhin said in a video recorded message that his group was making Africa “freer” and suggested he was presently on the continent.

Mr. Prigozhin, a former Kremlin ally whose group rebelled against Russia’s military leadership in June, has made few public appearances since the mutiny.

His group maintains a strong military presence in Africa, where it has partnered with several nations, including Mali and the Central African Republic. It has been suggested that the group is behind the recent coup in Niger which toppled the government of Mohamed Bazoum.

In the latest video posted by his group, Prigozhin said, “We are working. The temperature is above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Just how we like it.”

The video shows Mr. Prigozhin holding an assault rifle, before panning around to reveal military vehicles parked on a large, desert-like plain.

“The Wagner Group is conducting reconnaissance and search activities. Making Russia even greater on every continent — and Africa even freer,” Prigozhin said.

Wagner’s apparent activities in Africa come as tensions brew in Niger, which was rocked by a coup in July that saw its government deposed and a military junta installed.

A Russian organisation affiliated with Wagner shared a message apparently from Prigozhin, who said the events in Niger were part of the nation’s fight against “colonisers”.

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp