At least 10 passengers were reportedly on the jet, all of whom are feared dead.
Prigozhin’s name was listed among passengers on board the jet.
According to reports, the plane belonged to Prigozhin.
Rosaviatsia, Russia’s regulatory body for civilian aviation, confirmed Prigozhin’s presence on the passenger roster. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether he had actually boarded the flight.
According to Russia’s state news agency Tass, emergency personnel reported that the plane was carrying three pilots and seven passengers.
In May, when Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin furiously accused Russian military leaders of failing to provide his forces with ammunition, Surovikin was officially named as an intermediary between Wagner and the army.
Then, on the night between June 23 and 24, after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin called for the toppling of Russia’s military command, Surovikin made a highly unusual video appeal to the mercenary group.
Less than 24 hours later, Prigozhin had turned his forces back and agreed a deal with the Kremlin to be exiled to Belarus.
Surovikin made no public appearances afterwards, prompting furious speculation that he had been detained or removed from his post.
In July, a lawmaker and former army officer from Russia’s ruling party said that Surovikin was “resting” and “not available”.
