Wagner boss Prigozhin threatens Putin with withdrawal

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Yevgeny Prigozhin (61) and his Wagner mercenaries have been supporting Russian troops in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. His men mainly made a name for themselves as ruthless fighters without regard for losses.

The Wagner mercenaries also support Vladimir Putin’s (70) troops in the current battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. But after several political disagreements, Wagner’s boss now seems to have had enough. He no longer wants to obey the Kremlin and even threatens to withdraw from Ukraine!

“Situation is getting annoying”

In a video message, Prigozhin can be seen sitting in a dark room. With a serious look, he announces: “If Wagner now withdraws from Bachmut, the whole front will collapse!”

Wagner’s boss, also known as Putin’s cook, is sure that his mercenaries are today “the cement” of the Russian attack in Ukraine, as the “Bild” writes. “We are pulling the entire Ukrainian army to us and crushing it, destroying it and not allowing it to concentrate on other sectors of the front,” Prigozhin said.

The 61-year-old goes even further. He claims: “If Wagner withdraws now, the following situation will arise: the front will collapse, perhaps to the Russian border, perhaps further. The situation will become uncomfortable for all units defending Russia.”

“Crimea Falls”

Prigozhin doesn’t mince words – even personally threatening Kremlin chief Putin. The story will be as follows when his Wagner troops retreat: “The group of mercenaries led by Prigozhin convinced President Putin of their indispensability, then at Bakhmut they crushed the Ukrainian army and concentrated on themselves, then they could not reach an agreement with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance (…) and suddenly withdrew.”

According to Prigozhin, if Wagner were to withdraw, the Ukrainian army could advance into the areas of the Russian-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. “The flanks are collapsing” and “Crimea is falling”, says the Wagner boss.

The Kremlin ignored requests for supplies

Prigozhin’s grave threats are likely in response to Kremlin policies. Again and again the Wagner mercenaries demanded more weapons and ammunition from Russia. However, the demands were largely ignored by Vladimir Putin.

The video message is now the escalation level of the dispute. Prigozhin probably also fears that his mercenaries will suffer great losses due to the lack of supplies. So far, Putin has not responded to Prigozhin’s threats. But this should not be without consequences. (obf)

Source: Blick