Russia is a country full of surprises.
People here were shocked this summer after drones attacked the centre of Moscow on several occasions, causing explosions and damage to buildings.
Then, the Russian rouble took an unexpected tumble - briefly tipping the dollar rate to over 100 roubles.
Add to that, a failed mission to the Moon: Russia's 'Luna-25' lander was lost in space, destroyed as it collided with the lunar surface last week.
But today, as the news broke that Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane had fallen out of the sky, crashing in a fireball in Russia's Tver Region, most people were far from shocked. In fact, most Russians were probably surprised it hadn't happened sooner.
Speculation had been swirling for weeks in Russia about exactly what fate awaited Yevgeny Prigozhin. Exactly two months ago, the Wagner boss launched his brief mutiny.
His mercenaries seized a major Russian city and even marched on Moscow. After the rebellion was called off, many thought Prigozhin's days were numbered. After all, the mutiny was a significant humiliation for the Kremlin, and President Putin isn't the kind of man to forgive and forget.
Around an hour after the crash, the Russian Federal Aviation Agency Rosaviatsiya released a statement confirming that Yevgeny Prigozhin's name was on the passenger manifest.
That is unusually quick for Rosaviatsiya: the agency is usually much slower to respond to such incidents. That raised eyebrows here.
Russian state TV is keeping reporting of the incident to a minimum, quoting government officials with no comment. In its main evening news bulletin, Kremlin-controlled Channel One dedicated just 30 seconds to the story.
It is a well-known fact in Russia that state TV channels often wait until they receive official instructions regarding the tone of reporting.
As for the Wagner group itself, Telegram channels linked to the mercenaries have claimed that Prigozhin "was killed….by traitors of Russia". At the Wagner HQ in the city of St Petersburg, a makeshift shrine has appeared. Images on Russian media show people bringing flowers and candles to the Wagner Centre.
Attention is now turning to what happened on board the flight. According to Russian media, investigators are looking into a number of possible causes, including "external actions."
Commenting on the incident, political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said that the cause of the plane crash is not important - more significant is the message it sends to any other potential mutineers: "Everyone will see this as an act of retaliation and retribution…From Putin's perspective, as well as many among the security and military officials, Prigozhin's death should serve as a lesson."
Latest Stories
-
Vote for a government committed to upholding integrity of Public Service – GLOGSAG to Civil Servants
17 mins -
Kasoa protests ‘bad name’
24 mins -
Yaw Nsarkoh: Bit by bit we will understand China
7 hours -
Looted and returned: Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum
7 hours -
Suspected killer in Kasoa land dispute shooting not a National Security operative
7 hours -
Ghana appoint four Para Athletics coaches in Preparation for Paris 2024
7 hours -
Kumasi Cheshire Home decries inadequate equipment; seeks public support
8 hours -
UCL: Niclas Fullkrug hands Dortmund first leg advange over PSG
8 hours -
GPL: Accra Lions beat Hearts of Oak to go third
10 hours -
Seek higher grounds as rains intensify – GMet warns
10 hours -
May Day: Sam Ankrah promises to prioritise welfare and well-being of workers if elected president
10 hours -
Bawumia plans door-to-door campaign for 2024 polls
11 hours -
GAF condemns ‘unprovoked’ fatal shooting of soldier in Kasoa land dispute
11 hours -
OSP’s request for money laundering probe against Cecilia Dapaah baseless – AG advises EOCO
11 hours -
Obofour Raphael releases ‘Asem Yi Di Ka’ EP
11 hours