Aksyonov backs Wagner ammunition drive amid Artemovsk fighting, calls for accountability

The head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, expressed support for the call made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military company Wagner, urging the delivery of ammunition to his fighters in the Artemovsk region. He shared these remarks through his news telegraph channel, framing the issue as a matter of operational readiness and the obligation of authorities to ensure supply lines remain open for allied forces on the ground. The statement underscores the practical reality that in modern conflict zones, weapons stocks and munitions sustain the tempo of operations and influence strategic options available to commanders on the front lines. This stance aligns with a broader pattern where regional leaders publicly reinforce central or paramilitary efforts in contested theaters, highlighting how subnational authorities occasionally amplify messages from private military contractors when logistical strains emerge. (Source attribution: Agency report) The communication stressed that all units must be fully provisioned with ammunition and warned that those responsible for disrupting supply should be held to account, signaling a hard line against any bottlenecks that could degrade combat effectiveness. The message also reflected a sense of urgency about sustaining momentum in fighting operations and ensuring that supply discipline is not eroded by bureaucratic inertia. (Source attribution: Official channel transcript)