READ MORE <\/strong> Prigozhin death backfires on Putin as only ally in Europe now under threat<\/strong><\/p>\n This comes after Wagner Group\u2019s attempted mutiny earlier this summer.<\/p>\n Wagner thugs, who have fought alongside Russia\u2019s regular army in Ukraine, mounted a short-lived armed coup against Russia\u2019s military leadership in late June.<\/p>\n Prigozhin founded Wagner in 2014 and was exiled to Belarus following the attempted mutiny.<\/p>\n But Tregubov told Daily Express US that Prigozhin\u2019s death spells the end of the private military organisation.<\/p>\n He said: “The problem here is that I cannot perceive Russian official sources as trustable. So there are many options here. It could be staged.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n “If it is not staged, it could be coincidence (highly unlikely) or assassination (very likely). If it’s assassination, it’s like telling to all the Russians ‘this is what happens if you try to move tanks to Moscow.”<\/p>\n “In any case, it is the end of Wagner project.”<\/p>\n Putin sent condolences to the families of all 10 people allegedly on board the plane that plunged to the ground just northwest of Moscow on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n But the Russian dictator failed to explicitly confirm Prigozhin’s death.<\/p>\n Putin said: \u201cI would like to above all express words of the most sincere condolences to the families of all those who have died.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n He added that initial data indicated that “Wagner employees” were on board.<\/p>\n Putin continued: “These are people who have made a significant contribution to our common cause of fighting the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine.<\/p>\n This is the same bizarre excuse Putin has to justify his illegal invasion of Ukraine, which was first launched in February 2022.<\/p>\n Wagner’s forces have played a crucial role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut.<\/p>\n Prigozhin frequently criticized Russia’s military brass over the course of the war, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition, but his accusations and calls for armed rebellion Friday were more direct challenge.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Putin-4928707.jpg?r=1693046234253\")
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