Ukraine Russia War: Putin’s final insult as Wagner rival ‘plots revenge’

Vladimir Putin has delivered a final insult to Yevgeny Prigozhin as the Wagner leader’s grave is revealed. See photos, video.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was denied a state funeral in a final insult by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

It comes as a Russian political analyst sensationally claimed Prigozhin was alive and plotting his revenge after a body double was killed in last week’s plane crash.

As a decorated recipient of the prestigious “Hero of Russia order” medal, Prigozhin was entitled to full national honours to mark his death.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said arrangements were not made for an official burial and that Putin had no plan to attend any private service.

The grave of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a private jet crash in the Tver region. Picture: AFP

A police officer watches an area near the Porokhovskoye cemetery where Yevgeny Prigozhin was buried in Saint Petersburg. Picture: AFP

“Decisions like that are typically made together with the family, and it is up to the family to decide,” Peskov said.

“The presence of the president is not envisaged,” he added.

A private ceremony was held to commemorate Prigozhin, according to Russian press services.

“Those wishing to say goodbye can visit the Porokhovskoye cemetery,” they said in a statement.

Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during simpler times. Picture: AFP

Another Kremlin spokesman, Sergei Markov, said that Moscow would discourage “large-scale farewell ceremonies and patriotic rallies”, according to the UK’s Telegraph.

Russian law enforcement was seen guarding a cemetery in St. Petersburg cemetery amid speculation that the funeral of Prigozhin would be held as soon as Tuesday, local time.

Wagner’s mercenaries attended the funeral of Prigozhin deputy Valery Chekalov, head of Wagner logistics, at the Severnoye.

While Putin was widely speculated to have ordered the assassination, including by US President Joe Biden, no hard evidence has emerged on how Prigozhin’s plane came down.

Putin last week paid tribute to his once-close ally turned rival, calling him a talented businessman who made “serious mistakes”.

“I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims. It’s always a tragedy,” Putin said in televised remarks.

“I had known Prigozhin for a very long time, since the start of the 90s. He was a man with a difficult fate, and he made serious mistakes in life.”

PRIGOZHIN LIVES: EXPERT CLAIMS

A Russian political analyst Dr. Valery Solovey claimed Yevgeny Prigozhin cheated a state-sponsored assassination bid with the use of a body double.

Claiming that the Kremlin faked the DNA evidence to confirm the death, Solovey said Prigozhin was “alive, well and free”.

“First, the plane in which Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to fly was downed by a Russian air defence system,” he said, countering US claims it was brought down by an on-board explosion.

“Prigozhin himself was not on board. His double was flying instead of him. By the way, Vladimir Putin is perfectly aware of that,” he added, according to The Daily Mail.

“He intends to take revenge on people who were intending to destroy him, and destroyed people close to him.”