It seems like oddly coincidental timing that Russia also officially relieved Surovikin as head of the airforce today (he still hasn't been seen since the mutiny): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/23/russia-removes-sergei-surovikin-as-head-of-aerospace-forces

Not saying he's definitely dead, but I doubt this is him faking his own death so much as him slipping an assassination attempt if he's alive.

I heard it played out exactly like the opening scene from Dark Knight Rises, too.

There were 10 people on the plane (3 pilots, 7 passengers) but they only recovered 8 bodies...

THERE'S A CHANCE HE'S ALIVE!