Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of private military group Wagner, has issued a scathing assessment of Russia’s military readiness and warned of a potential revolution if the country’s faltering war effort in Ukraine continues. In an interview with pro-Russian blogger Konstantin Dolgov, Prigozhin criticized Moscow’s unpreparedness to resist Ukrainian forces, praising the capabilities of the Ukrainian army and urging Russia to escalate its war efforts.
Prigozhin’s comments come in the wake of embarrassment for Moscow as a group of anti-Putin Russians conducted an incursion into the Belgorod region, causing confusion and anger among influential military analysts in Russia. Reflecting on the incident, Prigozhin claimed that Russian defense forces were completely unprepared to counter such infiltrations, highlighting a lack of readiness and an inability to prevent the entry of the Russian Volunteer Corps into the country.
Notably critical of Russia’s conventional military structure, Prigozhin has been entangled in a conflict of authority with high-ranking military officers as he attempts to spearhead Putin’s land campaign in Eastern Ukraine. Earlier this month, he castigated Russian military leaders for the considerable loss of personnel within the Wagner group, attributing it to a lack of ammunition supplies.
Prigozhin’s interview with Dolgov was distinctly alarming, even for the vocal supporter of Putin that he is. He implored Moscow to amplify its war initiatives, pushing for the instigation of martial law and a fresh phase of recruitment. He warned that if Russia continues to experience mounting casualties, the internal strife could potentially lead to a revolution mirroring the historic events of 1917.
Prigozhin emphasized that the discontent would not be limited to soldiers alone but would extend to their loved ones. He claimed that the number of individuals affected by the conflict is significant and warned that the growing pool of relatives of fallen soldiers could lead to widespread unrest. Prigozhin estimated that the numbers could potentially reach hundreds of thousands, which would be difficult to contain.
The Russian forces, primarily composed of Wagner troops, have encountered significant challenges in their prolonged capture of Bakhmut, a strategically insignificant city in Ukraine’s east. The ground campaign has been in a stalemate since a series of successful Ukrainian counter-attacks last autumn, resulting in substantial losses for Russia.
As Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine face setbacks and criticism, Prigozhin’s dire warnings underscore the escalating tensions and potential consequences of the ongoing conflict. The implications of a revolution within Russia could have far-reaching effects, both domestically and internationally, further complicating the dynamics of the already complex situation in Ukraine.
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