Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, issued a provocative threat this Friday to pull his forces from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region. The move would come next Wednesday, a response to severe ammunition shortages and persistent casualties within Wagner ranks as the conflict continues to strain their resources.
In a video posted to his Telegram channel, Prigozhin stated, “On behalf of Wagner’s warriors and their command: On May 10, 2023, we will have to surrender the positions in the city of Bakhmut. Reposition fighters behind to deliver to Department of Defense units and lick our wounds.” This message, captured and circulated widely, reflects a call for strategic redeployment amid deteriorating operational conditions. [Source attribution: Telegram video]
☀️ Good morning, Prigozhin released one of the most forceful and controversial videos seen in recent days, directing blunt criticism at Russian defense leadership. He directly cites Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov for what he describes as passivity and equipment shortfalls, alleging they bear responsibility for Wagner’s losses.
This video, which quickly circulated on social platforms, highlighted a stark clash between Wagner leadership and the Kremlin’s top defense figures. The message was widely viewed and discussed, with the post by CROM noting the intensity of the exchange. [CROM, May 5, 2023]
“I am withdrawing the Wagner Group units from Bakhmut because the lack of ammunition dooms them to a senseless death,” he addressed to the Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, the Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin, and the people of Russia. The statements underscored the demand for urgent decisions and clarified the positions that Wagner had occupied in Bakhmut, seeking authorization to transfer those roles to the Russian Army and to indicate when replacements would arrive. This was communicated as a strategic pivot rather than a retreat, with demands framed as a response to logistical constraints. [Source attribution: Public statements]
Prigozhin asserted that Wagner’s forces possess only a small fraction of the ammunition they require, estimating 10 percent of the needed stock. He called for the Chief of the General Staff to approve the handover of the town’s frontline positions to regular units and to communicate the schedule for reinforcements. His remarks were framed as a call for accountability and a request for clear timelines amid ongoing combat operations.
According to Prigozhin, his stance was open to scrutiny, yet he insisted that criticism should be directed toward policy and supply lines rather than the fighters themselves. He noted the nine months and five days of sustained front-line engagement by Wagner troops and suggested that those who doubt the necessity of the redeployment should visit Bakhmut to see the realities on the ground. The emphasis remained on practical military considerations rather than political posturing.
He emphasized a targeted objective, noting that a modest area of 2.5 square kilometers—out of the 45,000 square kilometers contested around the city—could be achieved under the right supply conditions. The point was clear: without adequate ammunition, victory becomes unattainable, not just for Wagner but for Russia’s broader war effort as well.
Prigozhin asserted that the absence of sufficient ammunition undermines strategic gains, arguing that adequate supplies could significantly reduce losses. He asserted that failure to provide the necessary munitions would obscure any potential gains and prolong the struggle. The broader implication, he implied, was a direct impact on Russia’s overall military objectives. [Source attribution: Public statements]
Earlier, Prigozhin had reported daily losses of around 100 soldiers in Bakhmut due to ammunition shortages. The evolving dynamics inside the conflict prompted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov to decline comment on the Wagner leadership’s threats, stating that the matter should be addressed by the Defense Ministry. The exchange underscored the tense relationship between the Wagner Group and Russia’s military establishment as the campaign in eastern Ukraine continued to evolve. [Source attribution: Official commentary]
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