Russian media against Wagner: “Bakhmut’s capture is not decisive”
The political conflict between the Russian government and the Wagner Group is also used for propaganda purposes. As reported by Meduza, the Pervyj kanal broadcaster questioned the effectiveness of the Wagner militia and described Bakhmut as “not the most important city from the point of view of the front”. The story compares the battles for Mariupol and Bakhmut, noting that the former is “one of the most important centers of Ukrainian metallurgy”, thanks to which “a powerful fortress for Azovstal was deliberately built for eight years, which was considered impregnable and highly motivated.” Azov Battalion”. Noting that Mariupol had a population of 425,000, Pervyj Kanal praises the Russian conquest “in 71 days” and compares it to that of Bakhmut, “not the most important at the front” and an outpost “of 72,000 people taken by Wagner became”. 224 days.” The report concludes that no one “disparages in any way the deeds” of the Wagner fighters “who fought honestly and selflessly.” On May 21, the day after Yevgeny Prigozhin announced Bakhmut’s capture, Pervy Kanal described the city’s “liberation” as “an event of historic proportions”.