Tensions are growing between the Russian government and the soldiers of the Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. Disagreements have been escalating since last week, as the Wagners oppose some decisions of the Russian Army, according to international press reports.
On Friday, the mercenary leader claimed, without providing proof, that an airstrike had killed a large number of his fighters. Prigozhin also threatened to retaliate and attack the Russian Army “to make them pay for their actions.” In addition, the Wagners also ended up taking parts of southern Russian cities, and were then called traitors by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also has already stated that he will respond harshly.
The situation is worsening. Meanwhile, a video has appeared on the Internet showing a Russian plane in flames crashing in the Voronezh region. Seeing the silhouette, many believe it to be a An-26 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Other sources, however, suggest that it is an Il-22M communications aircraft.
BREAKING: Russian Air Force An-26 was shot down allegedly by Wagner Special Forces during #RussianCoup near Voronezh. Developing story.. pic.twitter.com/jsvTMu02si
— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) June 24, 2023
For now, they blame Wagner for the downing of the aircraft. The mercenary group has a Pantsir-S1 mobile anti-aircraft defense system mounted on a truck, armed with command-guided surface-to-air missiles and a pair of 30 mm dual-barrel automatic cannons.
Neither the mercenary chief nor the Russian military authorities have provided more information about the case of the downed plane. For now, it is a developing story and, as more details are gathered, the case will be unveiled.
