Putin’s notorious mercenary dubbed ‘The Executioner’ killed by Ukrainian sniper
dailystar.co.ukRussian Wagner Group mercenary dubbed "The Executioner" has reportedly been taken out by a Ukrainian sniper. Vladimir Andonov, 44, is thought to have been shot dead in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
The news was first reported by Russian publication Moskovsky Komsomolets, which wrote: "The death in Ukraine of Vladimir Andonov, better known as Vaha, has become known."He died last night during reconnaissance of the area together with his friend."The publication added that he was most likely killed by a sniper.
Andonov was part of the Wagner Group, a legion of Russian mercenaries which have fought in Vladimir Putin's conflicts around the world.The paramilitary organisation is modelled on private armies like American military contractors Blackwater, or South Africa-based Executive Outcomes.It is run by two of Putin’s closest allies, oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin and his partner Dmitry Utkin - who frequently appears in Nazi uniforms.Despite clear evidence that the Wagner Group has taken part in numerous conflicts – including in Syria, Sudan, the Central African Republic – it has no registered central office and does not officially exist.Andonov reportedly first went to Ukraine in 2014 to fight in the Donbas and has been linked to the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war during that time.
Moskovsky Komsomolets also reported that Andonov served in the special forces in 2014 and received a medal "For Merit in Battle".Ukrainian sources believe he took part in the killing of prisoners of war in the village of Logvinovo, as well as a massacre of civilians in the Donbas, according to The Sun.
Read more on dailystar.co.uk
