Meanwhile…smug despot Putin attends concert celebrating Russian WW2 victory – as reports spread that Wagner rival Prigozhin has been killed in plane crash

By Eirian Jane Prosser

Updated: 20:37 BST, 23 August 2023

A smug Vladimir Putin has been spotted enjoying a night out at a concert celebrating the Soviets World War Two victory at the Battle of Kursk, as Russian media boasts that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead.

The Russian president was seen making a speech in front of crowds of people and handed out military honours at the celebratory event being held in Kursk Russia, according to unconfirmed live photos and videos.

Footage of the despot appeared as news about the fatal crash – which has reportedly killed ten people in total – broke.

As shocking videos showed the crashed business jet ablaze, Putin hailed the ‘heroes’ of Russia’s ‘special military operation in Ukraine’.

The plane was seen falling out of the sky in Bologovsky, in the Tver region of Russia, which is about 60 miles north of Moscow, before crashing and exploding in a field.

Three pilots and seven passengers were said to be on board, with Prigozhin being listed as one of those who got on the aircraft.

Vladimir Putin has been spotted enjoying a night out at a concert celebrating the Soviets World War two victory at the Battle of Kursk – amid reports that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead

The Russian president also handed out awards to members of the country's military

The Russian president also handed out awards to members of the country’s military

The president was filmed making a speech to a crowd of people in what are reportedly live photos and videos

The 62-year-olds reported death comes less than two months after he mounted a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership on June 23.

After his failure he was warned that his life was in danger and he was said to be taking huge care of his security.

The Kremlin had said followed his failed coup that he would be exiled to Belarus, but the mercenary chief continued to pop in Russia, prompting further fears for his future.

Russian state media has reported that Prigozhin is confirmed dead, although MailOnline is unable to independently verify this.

Prigozhin’s public appearances in two months since his failed coup against Putin’s regime

JUNE 23 Prigozhin announces a ‘march for justice’ to stop the ‘evil being spread by the country’s military leadership’.

In a series of audio recordings posted on the Telegram messaging service, he announces his 25,000 soldiers will march on Moscow, adding: ‘Wagner’s commanders have come to a decision. This is not a military coup. It is a march for justice.’

JUNE 24 Prigozhin says his fighters have captured the army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don ‘without firing a single shot’ and claims to have the support of locals.

But that evening, he suddenly announces a withdrawal, saying on Telegram: ‘Now is the moment when blood could be spilled. We are turning our convoy around.’ He then disappears from public view for nearly three days.

JUNE 27 Prigozhin breaks his silence to deny his march was a coup, saying: ‘We didn’t have the goal of toppling the existing regime, which is lawfully elected, as we have said many times.’

JULY 3 Prigozhin calls on the Russian public to stand up for Wagner paramilitaries as the group continues to recruit troops for the war in Ukraine.

JULY 6 Selfies of Prigozhin in various wigs and disguises are published by Russia’s security services to weaken his fearsome public image.

JULY 14 A photo of Prigozhin sitting in his underpants on an unmade bed in a tent is leaked online. Data attached to the photo shows it was taken on June 12 – 11 days before he announced the armed rebellion.

JULY 19 In a video filmed in a field, Prigozhin says: ‘What’s happening on the front is a disgrace that we don’t need to take part in. So a decision has been taken that we will be here in Belarus for some time,’ before ‘heading off for Africa’.

JULY 27 Prigozhin is photographed on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, shaking hands with Freddy Mapouka, chief of protocol for the Central African Republic’s president.

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