Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious Russian warlord and leader of the Wagner Group, is believed to have perished in a fiery plane crash. This comes just two months after his audacious but unsuccessful coup against President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Prigozhin, once a close ally of Putin, had become a thorn in the Kremlin’s side. His paramilitary unit, the Wagner Group, was involved in some of the most brutal conflicts in Ukraine.

However, their relationship soured over high mortality rates, lack of equipment, and unpaid wages. Prigozhin even threatened to withdraw troops from frontline positions if he did not receive the supplies he demanded from Putin.

The tension escalated when Prigozhin launched a verbal attack on Putin and his allies, marching 25,000 troops towards Moscow.

After capturing the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, the army marched north, forcing the capital into lockdown. An agreement was eventually reached between Prigozhin and the government, ending the standoff.

However, the peace was short-lived. A plane carrying Prigozhin crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow, killing all onboard.

While it is speculated that Ukrainian special agents may have planted a bomb on the aircraft, many believe that the Russian government targeted Prigozhin’s jet using a surface-to-air missile or a bomb.

The aftermath of the crash was a gruesome sight. Only the front part of the plane, windows, and a piece of hardware remained. Ten bodies were found, one with its head separated from its shoulders.

Despite state TV asserting that Prigozhin was onboard, rumors suggest he might not have been on the fateful plane due to his meticulous security measures.

The incident has sparked international attention. President Biden has been briefed, and the UK government confirmed it was ‘monitoring the situation closely.’

CIA Director William Burns described Putin as ‘the ultimate apostle of payback,’ suggesting that the Russian president might have orchestrated the crash as an act of revenge.

Meanwhile, the Wagner Group is reportedly preparing for ‘full mobilization’ in response to the death of their leader. They have vowed retribution if Prigozhin’s death is confirmed and declared the people responsible ‘traitors’ to Russia.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile political climate in Russia. It also raises questions about the future of the Wagner Group and its potential transformation into Putin’s private army.

As the world watches, the fate of Russia’s most feared warlord hangs in the balance.