Vladimir Putin, Russia's long-standing ruler, currently engaged in a private battle with cancer, recently faced a formidable challenge from an unexpected corner. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the notorious Wagner mercenary group, once closely allied with Putin, has demonstrated a disturbing show of defiance against the ailing president.

Confidential military sources informed The National ENQUIRER that Prigozhin's move was designed to reveal Putin's frailty and suggest to Russian citizens that their nation is essentially leaderless.

"A moment of weakness was all that the Wagner Group needed to reveal Putin as an ill and ineffective man, incapable of governing his military during times of conflict," shares an insider source on international terror.

The implication is that Putin, in his current condition, is susceptible to internal challenges from disgruntled citizens and potential adversaries within the government.

Prigozhin, a former confidante of Putin turned mob boss, commands a hardened force of 25,000 soldiers under the Wagner Group banner. In a stark contrast to the flagging Russian Army, this group has reportedly claimed most of Russia's victories in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

The 62-year-old Prigozhin has launched a vehement attack on the 70-year-old Putin and his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, blaming them for their military incompetence and their failure to adequately supply his fierce mercenaries.

Prior to his surprising insurrection, Prigozhin had been vocally critical of Putin and his defense minister for their apparent neglect of his troops, especially during the grueling conflict in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Prigozhin justified his defiance, saying, "Our march began due to an injustice," before setting his sights on Moscow. His rebellion, however, took a sudden turn when he redirected his troops to neighboring Belarus.

President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus negotiated a deal whereby Putin, reportedly in a concealed hospital bed, would pardon Prigozhin and his rebellious mercenaries.

International intelligence experts view this incident as a clear signal: Putin's control is faltering. One military expert commented on Prigozhin's strategic retreat, calling it a masterstroke that displayed his power without revealing his limitations.

According to retired U.S. Army Major General Paul Vallely, "Prigozhin knew that his forces would be targeted by the Russian Air Force before they could reach Moscow."

There's now a growing consensus among insiders that Putin's 23-year rule is "severely threatened," and his stature as an autocratic leader is considerably diminished.

Alicia Kearns, chair of the U.K.'s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, observes, "The possibility of a collapsed Russia is far from negligible."

She adds a word of caution about the uncertain future: "We don't know the lengths Putin will go to retain power, but we should consider them significant. If he succeeds, we may witness purges unlike anything before, and what follows could potentially be much worse."

National Enquirer reported on the source's comments.