The Times
Like many of Thursday’s papers, The Times focuses on the fiery crash of a plane carrying Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin north of Moscow. It writes that a Telegram channel linked to his mercenary group says he was killed. Nine others were also on board.
The Daily Telegraph
Security officials believe Putin ordered the assassination of Prigozhin, writes The Daily Telegraph – with UK sources telling the newspaper that his jet was “almost certainly” downed by Russia’s domestic intelligence agency.
The Sun
Devoting its entire front page to the crash, The Sun says rebel Yevgeny Prigozhin was “blown out of the sky” – and his deputy at the Wagner Group was also on the passenger list.
Daily Mirror
It is feared Vladimir Putin had put Wagner boss Prigozhin – a former friend – on a “kill list” weeks ago and ordered the mercenary’s execution, the Daily Mirror reports. The paper also uses the headline “Putin’s revenge”.
Daily Mail
After a fiery plane crash reportedly killed warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, security sources are “pointing fingers” at the Russian president. The Daily Mail’s headline asks: “Was this Putin’s terrible revenge?”
Daily Express
The Wagner boss “paid the ultimate price” for challenging Vladimir Putin, the Daily Express writes – and the crash of his private jet is “no surprise”.
The Guardian
A photograph of the plane’s wreckage on fire is the focal point of The Guardian’s splash. While it says the cause of the crash is unclear, it reports Prigozhin’s long-standing feud with the military “would give the Russian state ample motive to take action against him”.
Metro
The freesheet decides not to focus on Prigozhin – instead, its splash says India is “over the moon” after making space history and landing at the south pole, days after Russia’s attempt was unsuccessful.
Daily Star
Taking a characteristically sideways approach to the story dominating the front pages, the Daily Star says: “No one at all shocked as warlord who defied Putin ‘dies in air crash’.”
Financial Times
Developments in Russia also dominate the front page of the Financial Times – it reports that the aircraft Prigozhin was on appears to have been shot down, and US officials had believed he was likely to face retribution after June’s failed revolt.
i
The Russian plane crash – with Prigozhin and his deputy said to be among the passengers – comes 60 days after he led a short-lived mutiny, i notes.
The Independent
An Afghan pilot who fought the Taliban has been granted asylum in Britain – with The Independent claiming the government has “capitulated” following a five-month campaign.
