According to the head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the expected counter-offensive by Ukraine could become a “tragedy” for Russia.
In an interview with Russian military blogger Semyon Pegov published on Sunday, Prigozhin said he expects the Ukrainian counter-offensive to begin in mid-May. “This counter-offensive could become a tragedy for our country,” he added.
Prigozhin again complained about the insufficient supply of ammunition to his fighters in Ukraine. “We only have ten to 15 percent of the grenades that we need,” said the Wagner boss. He again blamed the Russian army leadership.
Wagner mercenaries fight in Bachmut
Prigozhin is an ally of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, but is involved in a power struggle with the Russian Defense Ministry and the top military. He apparently sees his fighters exposed to growing competition from other mercenary troops.
In Ukraine, the Wagner group is currently primarily involved in the Battle of Bakhmut. The fighting for the city in eastern Ukraine has been going on for months.
According to Kiev, preparations for Ukraine’s long-awaited spring offensive are nearing completion. About two weeks ago, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar spoke on television about “complex measures” in eastern Ukraine, the online medium “Kyiv Independent” reported.
On Sunday, the governor of Russia’s Bryansk region announced the death of four people in a Ukrainian missile attack. On Saturday, a suspected Ukrainian drone set fire to a fuel depot on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia. (Tsp with AFP)
