(CNN) — The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused a Russian brigade of abandoning its position on the Bakhmut front line, which allowed Ukraine to seize territory.
The remarks are the latest in a series of public criticisms he made of the Moscow Ministry of Defense over the failed invasion of Ukraine – and in particular the failed capture of the town of Bakhmut. But while Prigozhin has often despised the Russian military and its leadership, he has not yet accused Russian units of running from the battle and allowing Ukrainian forces to retake territory.
Prigozhin said the 72nd brigade “just friggin’ ran out.”
In response to questions from a Russian media company, Prigozhin replied: “There is a serious risk of PMC Wagner being encircled in Bakhmut due to the failure of the flanks.” The flanks are cracking and already falling through.”
“At the moment in the city of Bachmut there is only Wagner PMC, there are no other units. Outside of Bachmut [there is] only the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. PMC Wagner is not there,” he said.
Bakhmut is the scene of a month-long assault by Russian forces, including Wagner mercenaries, that has driven thousands from their homes and devastated the area. But despite the massive amount of manpower Russia poured into capturing the city – using tactics likened to a “meat grinder” – they failed to take complete control and suffered heavy casualties in the area on Wednesday .
Prigozhin is increasingly critical of Russia’s military leadership – and voices his grievances publicly.
Prigozhin said that despite promises from the Defense Ministry, his men had not been provided with the necessary ammunition in recent days.
“So far, the ammunition has been filtered to a minimum … PMC Wagner continues the offensive in Bakhmut and is awaiting a decision on the issuance of ammunition and weapons in the required quantity,” he said.
“Without ammunition, the ‘meat grinder’ will work in the opposite direction: the armed forces of Ukraine will destroy PMC Wagner.”
In his recent comments, he blamed what he called “internal competition” for the reduction in supplies to Wagner.
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Prigozhin also questioned the value of capturing Bakhmut, claiming that the city had “no strategic importance”.
Separately, a prominent Russian military blogger, Anastasiya Kashevarova, has reported a total lack of communication between Wagner and the 72nd Brigade in the Bakhmut area. Kashevarova said she had been near Bakhmut and noted that Wagner had withdrawn from a flank to concentrate on another area without informing the 72nd Brigade.
In turn, the 72nd Regiment had no infantry in the area to help it defend.
She wrote on Telegram: “The 72nd has a ban on collaborating with the ‘orchestra.’ [Wagner] and Wagner is too proud.”
Often, she added, a brigade doesn’t know who is on its right or left. “There is no single commandment that would be respected by everyone without exception,” she added. “Total disunity on the front line… the enemy is exploiting it.”