"Putin's Revenge: Prigozhin's Warning and the Investigation into Ukraine Crash"

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claims he warned Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin about his safety before the plane crash, but Prigozhin did not take up his offer. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with early assessments suggesting the possibility of an onboard explosion. Three Ukrainian pilots were killed in a midair collision during a combat mission. Attacks continue in Ukraine, with four people killed in the past day. Ukrainian and Russian sea and air forces have had confrontations around strategically important gas and oil platforms in the Black Sea. Four more military officers in Ukraine have been detained for corruption. Ukraine is negotiating security guarantees with the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Journalist Evan Gershkovich has appealed his detention in Russia on espionage charges. The European Commission accuses Russia of using grain as a weapon. The lingering popularity of Prigozhin poses a challenge for Russian President Vladimir Putin.