Russia: Footage allegedly shows jet carrying Prigozhin shot down

       Vladimir Putin is likely to be behind the plane crash Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was reportedly killed in, Tory MPs have suggested.

       The warlord, who led a failed coup against the Russian President in June, was on the passenger list of a private jet carrying seven passengers and three crew which crashed while flying from Moscow to St Petersburg.

       Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Russian President "couldn't let him live" after his rebellion two months ago.

       The Rutland and Melton MP told the Express: “The speed at which the Russian government has confirmed Yevgeny Prigozhin was on a plane that crashed on a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg should tell us everything we need to know.

       “Reports Russian Air Defence shot down the plane suggests Putin is sending a very loud message.

       Yevgeny Prigozhin led a failed coup against the Russia President in June (Image: GETTY)

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       “A number of us expected that Prigozhin would end up dead, Putin couldn’t let him live after his march on Moscow.

       “But this story isn’t over yet, how will those loyal to Prigozhin respond?

       "Has Putin spent the last couple of months shoring up control of Prigozhin’s assets?”

       Tobias Ellwood, the Tory chair of the Commons Defence committee, added: "Of course we await details but this has all the hallmarks of retaliation for the immense humiliation Prigozhin inflicted on Putin in June.

       Tory MP Alicia Kearns said the Russian President 'couldn't let him live' (Image: PARLIAMENT )

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       "Prigozhin challenged both the President's credibility and loyalty of the security forces.

       "These are critical for the survival of any Russian leader. Once they are challenged then the President no longer looks infallible and potential successors start to plot."

       As news of the crash was breaking, Putin hailed the heroes of Russia's “special military operation” in Ukraine as he spoke at an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk.

       It comes after Prigozhin mounted a short-lived mutiny in June over dissatisfaction about the treatment of his private military company, which has fought alongside Russia's regular army in Ukraine.

       His fate has been the subject of close scrutiny ever since after his apparent exile to Belarus, but reports have suggested he has appeared in Russia in recent months.

       A UK Government spokesperson said: "We are monitoring the situation closely."

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