The Wagner group guarding an area in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (Picture:AP)

Since Russia invaded Ukraine back in February 2022, the conflict has dominated the headlines, with Ukraine now in the midst of a counter-offensive against the Russian invaders.

Ukraine recently launched a major offensive in the south and the east of the country, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the Wagner militia group’s recent short-lived coup.

The mercenary group revolted on Friday, with its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin saying he intended to punish defence minister Sergei Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov for launching rockets at his troops. The uprising was the biggest threat to Putin in more than two decades.

Putin had spoken on television vowing ‘brutal’ retaliation against rebels if they continued with the revolt.

But Prigozhin escaped punishment as part of an agreement that will see him exiled in Belarus.

It is the most recent dramatic development and a moment that many feel may signal the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin.

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The latest lines from the Russia-Ukraine conflict .