Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin denounced the inefficiency of the Russian leadership, deciding to abandon the battle of Bakhmut.
The Russian leadership appears to be in shambles after Putin’s closest ally on the front decided to abandon the fight in Bakhmut. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner group, posted a video on Telegram denouncing the inaction of the elites in Moscow.
Prigozhin has been a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin for over a decade. Its fierce and ruthless leadership granted him the command of the Wagner group, which fought for Russian interests all over the globe.
The Wagner group fought in Syria, Libya, Sudan and many other crisis areas, often facing American-backed armies.
Until Putin’s partial mobilization last September, the Wagner group was essentially the sole fighting force in Ukraine. Facing copious losses against Ukraine’s resistance, Prigozhin was forced to find “unorthodox” ways to increase its mercenary force. Prigozhin was seen in Russian prisons and high schools trying to recruit new bodies for the meat grinder.
Even when the mobilized Russian army entered the front, the Wagner group still made up the bulk of the fight. The Russian army proper was ill equipped and with extremely low morale, sometimes even refusing to fight altogether.
For the past few months, Russia has been stuck in the Battle of Bakhmut, the bloodiest fight of the entire war so far.
Death in Bakhmut
The Russian advance in Bakhmut has been slow and steady. The Ukrainian army was entrenched into the ground, only backing down whenever the Russian numbers were completely overwhelming.
The official number of losses is unknown and will probably never be. However, both sides agree they’re in the hundreds of thousands.
Around a month ago, it was widely believed that Russia was going to win the battle, with news of a slow Ukrainian retreat from their position. Indeed, both sides recognized Russian gains in the town.
Nevertheless, the Russians seem to have been stopped again. On Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin posted the aforementioned video, denouncing the inefficiency of the Russian elites. Prigozhin accused directly Russian minister of defense Sergey Shoigu and the Chief of general staff Valerij Gerasimov.
According to Prigozhin, 70% of the needed ammunition was lacking for the Wagner group, hence its decision of pulling out entirely.
Next week, on the 10th, he will turn down its positions to the regular Russian army.
Prigozhin was already falling out of Putin’s favor at the start of the year. His constant criticism of the establishment forced Russian state media to censor him, and the direct line between him and Putin was allegedly cut off.
But Prigozhin is the one on the front, not Shoigu or Putin. This event could turn the Battle of Bakhmut, and the entire war, on the Ukrainian side for good.
