The leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, expressed strong disapproval of Russia’s military commanders after Ukrainian armed forces successfully reclaimed settlements near Bakhmut, Your Content has learned.
Prigozhin openly taunted Russia’s defense minister Sergei Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov, challenging them to visit the frontlines and witness the failures firsthand.
He labeled the situation as a disgrace and condemned the retreat of Russian troops and the loss of Berkhivka, a town in the northern outskirts of the embattled city.
Prigozhin’s frustration comes on the heels of his group’s recent loss of Bakhmut to Ukrainian forces.
The battle for the city was characterized by intense fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, reminiscent of World War I trench warfare.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Wagner group captured a lieutenant colonel from the regular Russian army, further highlighting the infighting within Russian ranks.
In a video released by the Wagner group, the captured colonel confessed to being drunk on duty and shooting at a Wagner vehicle due to personal animosity.
He identified himself as Roman Venevitin, commander of Russia’s 72nd Brigade. Prigozhin criticized Venevitin’s actions and questioned the place of personal animosity in war.
Additionally, the Wagner group alleged that the regular Russian army targeted them with mines, showcasing a video of their sappers clearing explosive devices from a road.
Prigozhin claimed that the regular army deliberately laid these mines to hinder Wagner forces as they withdrew from Bakhmut after securing a rare victory.
The tensions between various factions within the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine reveal a significant divide, with some analysts speculating the possibility of civil war if Putin’s side loses.
Despite substantial losses and a ban on recruiting prisoners from Russian penal colonies, Prigozhin is believed to still command a force of up to 60,000 men.
It is worth noting that Wagner is one of several private armies in Russia, including a group led by Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov and a private military company established by Gazprom, a Russian energy giant, according to DailyMail.
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