Assessment of the situation in Ukraine
Wagner boss invites Russia’s defense minister to Bachmut
05/12/2023, 10:05 am
The head of the Wagner mercenary unit, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has invited Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to the embattled city of Bakhmut to assess the situation. “In view of the difficult operational situation and your many years of combat experience, I ask you to come to Bakhmut, which is under the control of Russian military units, and assess the situation independently,” Prigozhin wrote in an open letter to the minister, which he sent to the telegram. channel of his press service published.
The relationship between Prigozhin and Shoigu is considered tense. In the past, the mercenary boss has repeatedly complained publicly about what he believes to be the lack of support from the Defense Ministry – and he also attacked Shoigu personally. The invitation can also be understood as mockery – especially the insertion with the “many years of combat experience”. Shoigu, although he has the title of army general, never served in the armed forces, something that Russian military bloggers have repeatedly criticized.
Prigozhin accuses the ministry of supplying him with too little ammunition to attack effectively. Most recently, he also complained about the lack of flank protection by regular units. His mercenaries ran the risk of being encircled in Bakhmut. The Ministry of Defense rejected these allegations.