Putin's army in shambles as Wagner chief suggests Russia is 'betraying' them
Wagner co-founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has made a controversial statement against Putin
Reuters / Orchestra_w Telegram channel
The head of Putin’s private arm has warned the President Russian forces “will collapse” if they do not receive further support from Moscow.
On Sunday, Wagner Group co-founder Yevgeny Prigozhin posted a video saying his forces were promised ammunition last month, but it had not yet been shipped.
The eastern city of Bakhmut has been the scene of many months of fighting, as Wagner and Russian troops continue their attempts to seize the Ukrainian city.
But President Zelensky and his military commanders have strengthened their defence of the city, whereas Russian forces are still waiting for their help.
Wagner Group co-founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has suggested he's been 'betrayed' by Putin
Orchestra_w Telegram channel
On Friday, Prigozhin said his units had “practically surrounded Bakhmut” following further intense fighting in the past week.
But on Sunday he took to social media to complain that he had been forgotten about by Putin.
"For now, we are trying to figure out the reason: is it just ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal."
The mercenary chief has regularly complained about Russia’s defence ministers, having previously accused Sergei Shoigu, the Defence Minister, and others of “treason” for withholding supplies of munitions.
Putin's war in Ukraine continues
Reuters
The Wagner co-founder said on Monday his representative had been denied access to the Russian headquarters in Ukraine, as a result of his complaints of a lack of ammunition.
He said he has written the army’s top brass urgently requesting further weaponry.
"We are continuing to smash the Ukrainian army in Bakhmut," he said.
In a separate video published on Saturday on the Wagner Orchestra Telegram channel,
Wagner Group co-founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has urged Russia to send his troops more ammunition
Orchestra_w Telegram channel
Prigozhin said his troops were worried that Moscow wanted to set them up as possible scapegoats if Russia lost what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.
"If we retreat, then we will go down in history forever as people who have taken the main step towards losing the war," Prigozhin said.
"This is exactly the problem with ammunition hunger."
Speaking seemingly from a bunker, Prigozhin said in the video that his troops would wonder whether they were being "set up" for defeat by the country's top brass or maybe even by someone "higher".
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