Mikhail Mizintsev, a former deputy defence minister who was in charge of the bloody siege of Mariupol last year, was pictured chatting to Wagner fighters in a video posted by pro-Wagner media late on Thursday. In a major boost for Mr Prigozhin, a top Russian general appears to have joined the group. Mr Prigozhin alleged his fighters were called in last March when Putin’s invasion “did not go according to the plan” and they deployed to eastern Ukraine including Bakhmut while Russian troops “shamelessly ran away” from other parts of the front line.Ī Kremlin spokesman has refused to comment on Mr Prigozhin’s latest video. The Wagner boss, known for a quick temper, has been heard swearing at Gen Valery Gerasimov, head of the Russian General Staff, in the past but Friday’s tirade offered the most scathing to-date account of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Supplies for Wagner reportedly improved on several occasions after Mr Prigozhin publicly complained about the defence ministry. Not sure Shoigu and Gerasimov are particularly thrilled with that prospect.” Supplies improved after complaints “If Wagner does eventually take all of Bakhmut, Prigozhin will take credit and emphasise that the Russian military and its leaders didn't take any cities or major objectives during the winter offensive. “The Ministry of Defence has to defend the whole front but Prigozhin only cares about taking Bakhmut,” he tweeted. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and long-time war watcher, said on Friday Wagner’s ammunition shortage likely reflects the defence ministry’s strategy to ration it ahead of the anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive. Mr Prigozhin and pro-Wagner Telegram channels in recent weeks predicted an imminent fall of Bakhmut, which would be an immense morale boost for the Russian army that has been suffering a string of embarrassing defeats.
Wagner has been spearheading what has been described as the bloodiest battle in Europe since the end of the Second World War around the town of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine with a pre-war population of 80,000 people. “I’m withdrawing Wagner units from Bakhmut because they are doomed to die if they have no ammunition,” he said as he threatened a retreat unless ammunition arrived.
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The angry rant is the most significant criticism by Yevgeny Prigozhin in his ongoing tug-of-war with the defence ministry, which has exposed in-fighting within the Russian war machine.ĭressed in full military gear and with an automatic rifle in his right hand, Mr Prigozhin was pictured with several dozen fighters behind him as he read out a statement to the defence minister, Vladimir Putin and “the people of Russia” accusing the defence ministry of refusing to send them ammunition because the military were “jealous” of their success.
The head of the Wagner mercenary group said he may withdraw his troops from the Russian advance on Bakhmut as he launched a vicious attack on “Kremlin b-s” over lack of weapons supplies.
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