The Ukrainians cheer the apparent death of mercenary leader Yvgeny Pregozion.

His Wagner group carried out some of the heaviest attacks on their land.

And now he's the butt of jokes and memes.

I'm Aishiraska.

And I'm Scott Simon and this is up first from NPR News.

We'll bring you the reaction from Kiev to the Wagner leaders apparent death.

Plus another top US official heads to China.

This time it's to reassure US businesses shaken by recent investment restrictions.

Plus two pops and stations sing goodbye to summer.

So please stay with us.

We've got the news you need to start your weekend.

The Wagner group supplied strong and determined fighters at the outset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Now it's leader Yvgeny Pregozion appears to be dead.

President Zelensky of Ukraine pointed the finger at the Kremlin.

He said at a press conference, quote, we had nothing to do with it.

Everybody knows who did it.

NPR's Brian Mann is in Kiev this morning.

Thank you for joining us.

Thanks for having me.

So Moscow's denying that Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered Pregozion's death.

What are you hearing from officials and civilians in Ukraine?

You know, I guess the best way to describe it, Asia would be kind of gallows humor.

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