Putin’s bloodthirsty mercenary dubbed ‘The Executioner’ is killed by Ukrainian sniper after slaughtering civilians

ONE of Putin’s most notorious mercenaries, dubbed “The Executioner”, has been killed by a Ukrainian sniper, according to Russian sources. Vladimir Andonov, 44, part of the notorious Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries, was reportedly involved in the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war during fighting in the Donbas back in 2014. Wagner Group fighter Vladimir Andonov has reportedly been killed in Ukraine Andonov was known as ‘The Executioner’ and also fought in Libya and Syria Andonov, who is from the Buryatia region of Russia’s Far East, is believed to have been shot dead in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine. He was infamously known as “The Executioner” of the Wagner Group, a private military company loyal to Putin which has been involved in various bloody missions around the world. His death was first reported by the 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,” it went on, adding that Andonov was most likely killed by a sniper. READ MORE ON RUSSIA & UKRAINE WIPED OUT Vid shows what it looks like to be hit by missile as Russia blasts drone out sky ARMED TO THE TEETH UK sends long-range missiles to Ukraine despite Putin’s chilling threat The newspaper also reported that Andonov went to fight for Russia in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine back in 2014, serving in the special forces and receiving a medal “For Merit in Battle”. That same year, according to Ukrainian sources, he also received infamy as a bloodthirsty butcher during the battle for Debaltsevo. Andonov is believed to have personally taken part in the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Logvinovo as well as the massacre of civilians in the Donbas. His name is included in the Ukrainian-run “Peacemaker” database, which lists all of the crimes of the Russian military. Most read in News PUTIN THREAT Britain DEFIES Putin's threats by sending 'cutting edge' rockets to Ukraine ‘BRIGHT STAR’ Brit scout, 6, who drowned near Love Island villa named as family pay tribute NOT FINE I'm facing PRISON over fine for a £2.70 train ticket - I can't afford to pay it DEVIL'S SLAUGHTER At least 50 dead including women and kids in 'satanic' massacre at church BRING IT ON Boris ready for leadership fight TONIGHT and insists 'it's time to draw a line' ON THE LOOSE Urgent manhunt for rapist after he ESCAPES - as public warned to 'stay away' After the first Russia-Ukraine war, he travelled to Syria and joined the Wagner Group, also fighting missions in Libya. He was first spotted back in Ukraine shortly after the start of the war on February 24 this year. Andonov’s death appeared to be confirmed by Russian military sources based in Buryatia on the messaging app Telegram. One user on a Buryatia Telegram channel wrote: “He died at night, during the reconnaissance of the area, together with his companion, probably killed by a sniper.” Buryat publication Gazeta Nomer Odin, confirming his death, described “Vaha” as “perhaps the most famous volunteer in Buryatia, who fought in the Donbas in 2014”. All you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine Everything you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine... Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Will the UK go to war? How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion? What can I do to help Ukraine? Who is Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky? How much gas does the UK get from Russia? Is Russia a part of Nato? Does Russia have nuclear weapons? Why is Ukraine not in Nato? How big is the Russian army? What is Article 5 of the Nato treaty? What is the Minsk agreement? Which countries were in the Soviet Union? What does the Z mean on Russian tanks? Meaning behind symbols explained When will the Russia-Ukraine war end? Andonov was born in a remote Russian village close to the Mongolian border in 1978, enlisting in the Russian army in 1997. In an interview with Gazeta Nomer Odin in 2017, he said: “I was in Donbas in September 2014, volunteering. “I was urged by the events of May 2 in Odesa, where people were burned alive.” He also said his grandfather had fought in Ukraine during the Second World War. In 2016, he returned home to work as an instructor for Combat Brotherhood, which holds military drills around the former Soviet Union. According to another military channel on Telegram, he was killed alongside fellow fighter Bair Mitupov, also from Buryatia. Another newspaper, The Baikal Daily, wrote of his death: “In Ukraine, the legendary volunteer from Buryatia Vladimir Andonov, known as Vaha, has died. He died last night during reconnaissance of the area together with his friend Moskovsky Komsomolets “Information about his death was confirmed by the head of the Buryat branch of the public organisation of Combat Brotherhood veterans, Jambal-Jamso Janaev. “He said the funeral would take place in Ulan-Ude.” It comes as two of Putin’s generals were killed in a single strike overnight. Lieutenant General Roman Berdnikov, 47, and Major General Roman Kutuzov were allegedly killed in the same ambush in eastern Ukraine on Sunday. According to a report on Telegram by state TV reporter Alexander Sladkov, the two generals died after their convoy was ambushed on a bridge in Donetsk region. Kutuzov’s death has reportedly been confirmed by the Russians, but there has been no comment on Berdnikov. Read More on The Sun DIRTY SECRET I’m a hotel cleaner and there are some things guests do which I hate ROYAL GESTURES Princess Charlotte’s gesture to The Queen 'proves she’s just like mum Kate' Berdnikov, former commander of the Russian armed forces in Syria, would be the 12th general to have been killed in the war. It means the two most senior Russian commanders in Donetsk would have been wiped out in one strike in a further stunning setback to Putin. Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund The Wagner Group are notorious Russian mercenaries