Yevgeny Prigoyine has made very vicious statements to the Kremlin in recent weeks. According to the American newspaper, he even proposed an agreement with the Ukrainians to withdraw from Bachmout.
Information against a military withdrawal? The American newspaper The Washington Post claims in an investigation published on Sunday that the head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin offered Ukraine to provide him with confidential information in exchange for a withdrawal of Kiev troops from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmout.
Information on the location of Russian troops
Specifically, last January Wagner’s chief of Ukraine offered to provide him with strategically useful information about the location of Russian troops. In return, he wanted Kiev to withdraw its men from Bakhmout.
By this time, Yevgeny Prigozhin was suffering heavy military casualties in the eastern Ukrainian city, which had become the epicenter of the fighting.
This offer was formulated through the paramilitary group’s leader’s contacts with Ukrainian intelligence, according to the newspaper, which relies on confidential documents and sources within Ukrainian and American intelligence.
Rejection of Kyiv
According to the Washington Post, two Ukrainian officials have also confirmed that several talks took place between members of their intelligence agency and Yevgeny Prigoyine, and reiterated that the latter repeated his offer of a military deal. In particular, the two camps met once in an African country not mentioned by the media.
However, Ukraine reportedly rejected the proposal, questioning the sincerity of the man fighting for Moscow and long considered a Kremlin henchman before distancing himself in recent weeks.
In an interview with the American newspaper, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed no contact between Kiev and Wagner.
Prigoyine is increasingly critical of Moscow
Evguéni Prigojine, a former businessman, has been in the spotlight for more than a year for his involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He founded Wagner, a private group fighting for Moscow.
However, he has been in open conflict with the Russian general staff for several months and has repeatedly accused Moscow of not having provided him with enough ammunition for his men. He also accused the Russian troops of “fleeing” their positions near Bachmout.
Other documents accessed by the Washington Post indicate that Moscow is questioning Yevgeny Prigoyine’s public statements and considering how to respond.
“Ridiculous” claims according to the Wagner boss
The Wagner boss brushed aside the revelations of the American daily newspaper on Monday, calling them “ridiculous” in a message published on the social network Telegram.
“It seems that I am fighting for Russia, but at the same time the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is following my instructions. So the left hand is at war with the right hand,” he wrote wryly.
Evguéni Prigojine wonders about the origin of these revelations, which he denies, and blames senior Russian officials for originating these allegations. “They’re trying to dump as much shit on me as possible,” he said grimly.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also rejected the claims of the Washington Post and spoke of simple “disinformation”.
Ukraine also announced on Monday the “first success” of its attack around Bakhmout, advancing on the flanks of Russian defenses.