PUTIN REBEL 'IN PLANE FIREBALL'

Vlad blamed for Wagner 'death'

- JERRY LAWTON

THE mercenary nicknamed “Putin’s Chef” who tried to overthrow Mad Vlad has reportedly been killed in a plane crash. 

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who garnered his moniker after Putin began eating at his restaurants and giving him government contracts, is thought to have perished when his private jet burst into flames.

Footage showed the aircraft spiralling towards the ground in Kuzhenkino, north-west Russia.

Reports from Russia said Prigozhin’s name was on the passenger list, along with six others and three crew. Telegram channels said the rebel leader’s entire command staff were among the dead. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said eight bodies had been found at the site.