Vladimir Putin is today facing one of the biggest challenges to his leadership over his two decades in the Kremlin.

3

3

3

Putin’s former pal – known as his “chef” – Yevgeny Prigozhin announced he was inside the army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don.

He claimed he was in control of the city’s military sites and vowed to march toward Moscow.

Prigozhin and his private army had been fighting in Ukraine – but he had become a vocal critic of the Russian military leadership.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has been disastrous – blighted by underequipped and undertrained soldiers.

It is estimated up 220,000 Russians have died since Vlad invaded last February.

And this grinding bloodbath appears to have seen Prigozhin turn on the top brass in Moscow.

The warlord said his forces had crossed into Russia and vowed he and thousands of his fighters were “ready to die”.

He called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s top generals and defense minister Sergei Shoigu.

And he accused Kremlin top brass of attacking his field camps in Ukraine.

Prigozhin has long been thought to have ambitions of one-day taking control from Putin.

Russia’s security services had responded to Prigozhin’s declaration of an armed rebellion by calling for his arrest.

Security was immediately ramped up in both Rostov and Moscow.

The Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

They succeeded in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut.

But Prigozhin has increasingly criticized Russian military brass – accusing them of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online.Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.