“Then we will reach Kiev in three or four years”: Wagner boss Prigozhin calls for general mobilization

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Yevgeny Prigozhin (61), head of the Wagner paramilitary group, is currently traveling through Russia. He spread his pro-Russian war propaganda at various media conferences across the country, but did not shy away from attacking President Vladimir Putin’s (70) people.

The independent Russian news portal “Meduza” summarizes the main statements of Prigozhin.

According to Prigozhin, “a heavy war is coming”. “I think we can liberate the Donbass in two years and reach Kiev in three or four years,” said the Wagner boss. But this requires several measures, including general mobilization and an increase in weapons production.

It should not be a coincidence that Prigozhin called the weapons of all things. In recent months, the Wagner boss has repeatedly demanded more weapons from the Kremlin, sometimes even threatening the complete withdrawal of his troops if the Wagner group did not get more weapons.

Prigozhin also called for drastic measures against deserters. “We need the death penalty for deserters (…) otherwise the war cannot be won.” In addition, heads of arms companies should also be subject to military law – including the death penalty. This means that anyone who is unable to deliver the necessary ammunition will face death in the worst case scenario.

Prigozhin also called for Russia to be placed under martial law. “Society must be mobilized – the population must realize that they will have to live in these conditions for a long time to come.”

Prigozhin has long called for the imposition of martial law. Vladimir Putin is hesitant to do so. Martial law has only been in effect since October 2022 in the four annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

Residents may now be forced to work in the defense industry or unable to travel. The introduction of military censorship or the tapping of private telephone conversations is also officially possible, as is the imposition of a curfew, confiscation of private property, arrest for up to 30 days or forced relocation to other areas. The measures are also suitable for strengthening control over the Russian population.

In recent weeks it has been repeatedly said that Prigozhin would have political ambitions. The Wagner boss is even said to have planned a coup against Putin. He himself has now vehemently denied the rumors: “You will see neither the Wagner party in the State Duma (Russian House of Representatives) nor me as a presidential candidate. My work is completely different.”

Whether this statement is just an excuse or whether Prigozhin really has no political ambitions can hardly be independently verified.

On “Victory Day”, an important holiday for Russia, Prigozhin attacked an unknown grandfather. He said, “The lucky grandfather thinks he’s all right. But what should the country do if it turns out that grandfather is a complete asshole?”

However, he left open who Prigozhin meant by “grandfather”. It was widely believed that it could be an attack on Putin. But Prigozhin now denied it: “I called Valery Gerasimov (the current commander of the Russian army in Ukraine) because he did not give us ammunition.”

With the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia maneuvered itself to an international end. Numerous countries imposed sanctions, and there was practically no communication between the West and Russia.

Prigozhin has no illusions that this will soon change. “We will eventually become isolated, we have to get used to it,” said the Wagner boss. Russia can take care of itself. “We can make what we need ourselves.”

Source: Blick