A video has emerged showing Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, addressing speculation about his wellbeing and possible threats to his security, just few days before his death.
In the video reportedly filmed in Africa, second half of August 2023, Prigozhin was heard saying everything was fine.
“For those who are discussing whether I’m alive or not, how I’m doing – right now it’s the weekend, second half of August 2023, I’m in Africa,” Prigozhin says in the short video published by the Grey Zone Telegram channel which is linked to his Wagner Group.
“So for people who like to discuss wiping me out, or my private life, how much I earn or whatever else – everything’s ok,” he adds with a wave of his hand.
While the location and date of the video cannot be verified, Reuters said Prigozhin’s camouflage clothing and hat, as well as the watch on his right hand in the video, matched his appearance in a video released on Aug. 21, which he also claimed was filmed in Africa.
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His “weekend” would imply the latest clip must have been made on Aug. 19 or 20, only three or four days before he and other top Wagner figures and bodyguards were killed in a plane crash north of Moscow on Aug. 23.
Reuters said comments in the video reflected Prigozhin’s awareness of risks to his life.
Prigozhin was confirmed to have died in a plane crash north of Moscow following DNA test of the bodies found in the wreckage last week Thursday.
On Tuesday, he was buried in Porokhovskoye Kladbishche, St Petersburg, Russia, days after President Vladimir Putin said Prigozhin “made serious mistakes” while offering condolences.
His Wagner force fought for Russia in the Ukraine war but he was fiercely critical of the defence establishment and led a brief mutiny in late June.
However, the Russian government has rejected as an “absolute lie” the speculations that President Vladimir Putin had a part in Prigozhin’s.