Does Wagner’s boss really want to end the war?

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First, he is Putin’s cook. Then he heads the most powerful military unit in Russia. Now Yevgeny Prigozhin (61) has mutated into the Rasputin of the Kremlin chief. Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the founder of the infamous Wagner Group has repeatedly appeared in the media – sometimes with provocative messages. He openly criticizes the Russian military leadership. He complains that his mercenaries have not received ammunition supplies and accuses the Russian General Staff of high treason. But a negative word is never said to Vladimir Putin.

Prigozhin’s most recent, rather contradictory telegram also creates guesswork. On Friday, April 14, 2023, the Wagner boss stated that the Russian state power should announce the termination of the special military operation and “firmly entrench” in the occupied territories. The war aims had been achieved to some extent. Most of Ukraine’s working male population has been exterminated and the rest intimidated. In addition, Russia “cut off Ukraine from the Sea of ​​Azov and much of the Black Sea, seized a significant portion of Ukrainian territory and secured a land bridge to Crimea,” Prigozhin said.

Wagner boss warns of “internal enemies”

A possible background to his 30-page report could be the planned Ukrainian counter-offensive, which Yevgeny Prigozhin seems convinced of. And the so-called “call to victory” need not be one for peace. In fact, analysts at the American Institute for War Research (ISW) warn against putting Prigozhin’s rhetorical statement in the wrong context. Even the title of the essay “Just a Fair Fight: No Negotiation” speaks a different language.

The Wagner boss clearly fears that a state elite who does not belong to Putin’s inner circle could force Russia into negotiations. Prigozhin describes it as a “deep state”. These “internal enemies” would insist on serious concessions, thus betraying Russian interests. Prigozhin’s boogeyman: once the agreements are signed, powerful Russian exiles such as Putin’s nemesis Mikhail Khodorkovsky (59), bank boss Mikhail Fridman (58), former prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich (51) or ex-special envoy Anatoly Chubais (67) will return to Russia .

“Step by step, Russia is becoming a military monster”

Elsewhere, Prigozhin writes about the expected Ukrainian offensive: “Either the forces of Ukraine will be defeated, or Russia will lick its wounds, strengthen its muscles and tear its rivals in a fair fight”. Again he strengthens Putin. Nothing would threaten Russia’s supremacy. She is the symbol of national unity and resistance against the West. A defeat could even turn out to be an advantage for Russia, Prigozhin continued, because Russia can rise only after the bottom. According to Prigozhin, “step by step it will turn into a military monster.”

Source: Blick