Two months ago, this man led the Wagner mercenary group that almost sparked a civil war in Russia and also threatened the rule of President Vladimir Putin.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, has reportedly died after the plane he was on crashed northwest of Moscow on Wednesday.
It was reported that all seven passengers and three crew members on board the Embraer private jet were killed when it crashed in the Tver region, according to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Services.
Also killed were Utkin Dmitriy, Prigozhin's trusted lieutenant since Wagner was founded, and Prigozhin's senior aide Valeriy Chekalov, according to a passenger list shared by the Russian aviation agency.
US President Joe Biden said he was not surprised by reports of Prigozhin's death, adding that most of the incidents in Russia were orchestrated by Putin.
Meanwhile, analysts described the incident as a possible warning sign from Putin not to betray him or show his support for the Russian military.
Wagner's forces were heavily involved in capturing the towns of Soledar and Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine following Russia's massive invasion of the country last year.
Prigozhin then launched an armed rebellion against the Russian military leadership after months of criticism.
Wagner's advance, which he feared would take control of Moscow and overthrow Putin, was halted after Prigozhin suddenly announced that the armed uprising was over.
