A video that appeared on Russian social networks confirms that Wagner’s mercenaries shot down a command plane of the Russian army during a military uprising started by their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The video of the burning plane falling was first published on Saturday by Russian propagandist Ilya Tumanov on his Telegram channel, who later noted that it was RA-75917 of the Russian Air Force, attributed to the Il-22M commander.

Aircraft of this type entered service with the Soviet armed forces in the 1980s, initially intended for coordination of troops in the event of a nuclear conflict. They were later upgraded to become multipurpose command centers.

It is believed that the updated version of the aircraft entered service with the Russian armed forces in 2021, making them among the most modern at Russia’s disposal.

Video and photo materials published on social networks on Sunday confirmed that the footage released by Tumanov on Saturday indeed recorded the downing of the Il-22M11 aircraft identified by the Russian propagandist.

On Saturday night, Yevgeny Prigozhin ended a military uprising he had started in what some analysts called the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s power since he became Russia’s leader in 2000.

Prigozhin, through his Concordia firm’s press office, sent a “hello everyone” email to CNN on Sunday night after American reporters asked him several questions, including about his current whereabouts.

Prigozhin was last seen leaving Rostov-on-Don late Saturday night in a black SUV after the Kremlin said Lukashenko had struck a deal in which Prigozhin agreed to go to Belarus and end his rebellion.

The Russian military is trying to calm the spirit

In his first public appearance since the start and end of the uprising that has left the Russian military in an awkward position, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday visited troops involved in the invasion of Ukraine, according to information released by Moscow news agencies.

According to excerpts published by the Rossiya 24 TV channel, Shoigu, the object of harsh criticism from the head of Wagner, visited the command post of Russian troops in Ukraine and “held a meeting there with the heads of the unit.”

AFP also notes that Russian public television broadcast footage of Shoigu inspecting Russian troops in Ukraine on Monday.

The rebels, led by Prigozhin, advanced toward Moscow to oust what they called Russia’s corrupt and incompetent military leadership, then suddenly returned to Russian-held territory in eastern Ukraine after a deal brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko with the Kremlin.

The deal included immunity for the rebels in exchange for their return to the camps, but it remains unclear whether Putin also agreed to reshuffles of the top military leadership or made other concessions.

Follow the latest events of the 488th day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.