Dozens of soldiers in Vladimir Putin's private army were reportedly blown up after the location of their HQ was accidentally revealed, it has been claimed.
The Wagner Group fighters are understood to have been targeted by a devastating rocket attack after photos were published online inadvertently pinpointing their base.
Oligarch and mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin - nicknamed 'Putin's chef' - was initially said to be among around 100 dead in the Ukrainian onslaught in which a US-supplied missile system was deployed.
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A Kyiv official confirmed the attack on the Wagner base in Popasna, eastern Ukraine, in response to reports from Russia.
The Mirror UK report that Kremlin propagandist Sergei Sreda had shared pictures following a visit to the hidden site, with one showing him by a street sign alongside Russian mercenaries.
He said: "I arrived in Popsana. Went to Wagner's HQ. They greeted me like family, told me a few funny stories."
In another snap he is seen shaking hands with Prigozhin.
The 61-year-old close confidante of Putin's, whose mercenary group is accused of war crimes in Africa, Syria and Ukraine, later boasted he had "cheated death", suggesting the strike was intended to kill him but he had survived.
Pro-Russia Telegram channel HS Kharkiv shared photos and footage showing a bombed out building believed to the headquarters.
A man was seen being carried on a stretcher amid the rubble, with the video captioned: "We're digging out our guys in Popasna."
Ukraine's governor in Luhansk Serhiy Gaiday said of the alleged attack: "The news is definitely going to be good, with the figure around 100."
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Voenny Osvedomitel wrote: "It's sad that this missile strike that the enemy was able to launch thanks to a thoughtless publication of the current military positions was not the first time it happened.
"There's a long list I can already publish."
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