Russia Denies Involvement in Prigozhin's Assassination Despite WSJ Report

The Kremlin has dismissed a report by the Wall Street Journal claiming that the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, in a plane crash was orchestrated by Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev. The report cited unnamed Western intelligence officials and a former Russian intelligence officer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the Wall Street Journal for producing "pulp fiction" and declined to comment further. Prigozhin's death came two months after a mutiny within the Wagner group, which was seen as a challenge to President Vladimir Putin's authority. The Kremlin has previously denied any involvement in Prigozhin's death.