Kremlin spokesman says accusations of Putin’s involvement in downing of Prigozhin’s jet ‘an absolute lie’

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected accusations from Western countries claiming that the Kremlin ordered Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin’s to be assassinated. A recording of his answer was posted by the radio station Mayak.

A correspondent for BBC News asked Peskov to comment on the possibility that the Kremlin was involved in the downing of Prigozhin’s business jet.

Peskov replied that there has been “a lot of speculation” around the plane crash and “the tragic death of the plane’s passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin.” He continued, saying “of course, in the West all this speculation is presented from a specific angle. It’s all an absolute lie.”

The spokesman said to “rely on the facts,” though, according to him, there are not yet many available. “They are yet to be clarified in the course of the investigation, which is now being carried out,” he said.

Peskov brought attention to Vladimir Putin’s comments yesterday about the crash in Russia’s Tver region. “The President said that he’s waiting for the results of the investigation, which will be completed in the near future,” added the Kremlin spokesman.