Putin's revenge

Russian dictator put enemy on a kill list after failed coup

- CHRIS HUGHES

THE finger of suspicion on Yevgeny Prigozhin's death has been pointed at Vladimir Putin after his former friend was reported to have been killed in a plane crash.

It is believed the Russian president put the Wagner Group boss on a "kill list" weeks ago and ordered his execution for his part in a botched coup in Moscow in June.

Prigozhin, 62, may have suffered the same fate as many others who cross Putin.

The notorious mercenary had criticised the Kremlin and military chiefs over the fighting in Ukraine, where his ruthless gangs were feared to have carried out war crimes.

Sources claimed he had become an "embarrassment" to the Russian regime over Wagner Group activity.

His jet came down in Russia's Bologovsky District. Prigozhin is believed to have been among 10 people killed in the crash.

There were claims by Wagner Group sources it was shot down by a Russian air defence team.