The world has long understood just how dirty Vladimir Putin is willing to play the global game, and we’ve done just about all that we can to insulate ourselves from him thus far.
But his embarrassing failures in Ukraine are pushing the Russian dictator to some extreme examples of depravity, and the latest reports from uncouth incursion suggest that Putin may have a uniquely horrid trick up his sleeve yet.
More than 400 Russian mercenaries have been flown in from Africa to assassinate Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, it was revealed last night.
A private militia known as the Wagner Group allegedly has orders from Vladimir Putin to take out Zelensky – and 23 other government figures – to allow Moscow to take over its eastern European neighbour.
According to the Times, the army-for-hire, run by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin – a close ally of the Russian president who is often dubbed ‘Putin’s chef’ – was flown in five weeks ago and is being offered a huge sum for the mission.
The action could come at any time, according to sources.
The highly-trained operatives are said to be waiting for the green light from the Kremlin to pounce, with their hit list also including Ukraine’s prime minister, the entire cabinet, mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir – both boxing champions who have become iconic figures on the front lines of the capital.
The Ukrainian government caught wind of the operation, and has ordered a strict curfew in Kyiv which allows the military there to patrol the streets looking for Russian saboteurs.
