Russia’s capture of Bakhmut in May ended the longest battle of the war, marking a victory for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner paramilitary group. One facet of the battle’s legacy will be the public feud it set off between Prigozhin, the man once known as “Putin’s chef,” and the Russian defence ministry.
The discord between Prigozhin and Russian defence officials first got exposed as the anniversary of the war approached in February. At that time, Prigozhin’s mercenary group was losing its ability to replenish its ranks. His troops’ sheer numbers — bolstered by prison inmates— had enabled Wagner’s repeated, costly offensives in Bakhmut. But news of Wagner’s astronomical casualty rate was spreading, and Prigozhin said he would stop recruiting inmates, without giving a reason. Not long afterward, he accused defence minister Sergei Shoigu and thetop general, Valery Gerasimov, of treason. Prigozhin said military officials were deliberately withholding ammunition fromWagner fighters in Bakhmut to undermine him. Prigozhincontinue to issue inflammatory statements even after Bakhmut win. This month, tensions peaked when Prigozhin said Wagner would not comply with an order that would require it to sign a formal contract with Russia’s defence ministry.
The discord between Prigozhin and Russian defence officials first got exposed as the anniversary of the war approached in February. At that time, Prigozhin’s mercenary group was losing its ability to replenish its ranks. His troops’ sheer numbers — bolstered by prison inmates— had enabled Wagner’s repeated, costly offensives in Bakhmut. But news of Wagner’s astronomical casualty rate was spreading, and Prigozhin said he would stop recruiting inmates, without giving a reason. Not long afterward, he accused defence minister Sergei Shoigu and thetop general, Valery Gerasimov, of treason. Prigozhin said military officials were deliberately withholding ammunition fromWagner fighters in Bakhmut to undermine him. Prigozhincontinue to issue inflammatory statements even after Bakhmut win. This month, tensions peaked when Prigozhin said Wagner would not comply with an order that would require it to sign a formal contract with Russia’s defence ministry.