Wagner boss Prigozhin explains why the battle for Bakhmut would be so important “Finally make a deal!” – Angry Trump ensures McCarthy’s election

The founder of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, justified the bitter urge to take the small Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, which contained huge tunnel systems to shelter troops and tanks.

“The icing on the cake is the Soledar and Bakhmut mining system, which is actually a network of underground cities,” Prigozhin explained via Telegram on Saturday. “Not only can it accommodate a large group of people at a depth of 80 to 100 meters, but it can also move tanks and armored vehicles,” continues the Russian entrepreneur.

Weapons have been stored in these tunnels since the First World War. Bachmut is an important logistics center with unique defensive positions. However, the question arises as to what exactly Prigozhin intends to do with the tunnels. The reference to defense could mean that he expects a long battle for the city and the region and wants to protect his troops in Bakhmut.

The Russian army and the Wagner group have been trying to take Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine for five months. Some Western military experts have expressed surprise at the heavy Russian casualties and the possibility that Ukrainian troops could retreat to nearby new defensive positions should a Russian victory occur.

So it would be a Pyrrhic victory. US sources said on Thursday that Prigozhin wanted to take control of the region’s salt and gypsum mines for commercial reasons. But that would only be possible if Russia actually has control over the region. In addition, there was significant destruction in Bakhmut as a result of the attacks. It is unclear whether mining installations were also affected.

Earlier, retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, formerly stationed in Europe as the commanding US general, had expressed a different assumption about Russia’s Bakhmut’s persistence in an interview with “Newsweek”: Prigozhin’s credibility largely depends on it. If his fighters were forced to withdraw from Bakhmut, it would be a “blow” to Prigozhin’s prestige and “psychologically” harm the Russians as a whole.

Prigozchin has become more confident and offensive lately. The 61-year-old comments on the war almost daily and also clearly criticizes Russian warfare. Experts also see his growing influence as a sign of Putin’s loss of control.

Bakhmut is called Artyomovsk by the Russian side. A tunnel system of mines is known to extend for more than 100 miles in the region. During times of peace, concerts and football matches were held in a large underground hall. (reuters)