Russian troops are deserting in Bakhmut, chief Wagner complains

Evgeny Prigozhin says generals in Moscow are only interested in waging war on TV

Russian soldiers are deserting positions in Bakhmut , the head of the Wagner mercenary group, told the Kremlin that Moscow is incapable of defending its country.

Evgeny Prigozhin, whose influence has soared during Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, recently released a series of scathing videos attacking Russia's military leadership .

“Today, one of the units of the Ministry of Defense fled from one of our flanks… exposing the front,” Prigozhin said in a video message. He threatened to withdraw his fighters from Bakhmut on May 10 if he did not receive much-needed ammunition.

A group of mercenaries led Moscow's fight for the city in eastern Ukraine.

Evgeny Prigozhin, who is increasingly frustrated by his criticism of the Russian military leadership, on Tuesday criticized Russian generals for waging war «on television» and leaving their fighters without ammunition.

Mr. Prigozhin's press office released his video message just as President Putin was wrapping up the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square and said that Russian forces had successfully «completed their mission» in Ukraine.

Mr. Prigozhin offered the Kremlin a de facto ultimatum last week, threatening to withdraw thousands of its troops fighting outside of Bakhmut by Wednesday if the Russian Defense Ministry did not increase their supplies.

He cited the latest order of the General Staff, which spoke of an abnormally low amount of ammunition to be used for its intended purpose, and said that the military was letting Putin down.

“We can’t fight if he carries like this,” he said . “If the tasks are carried out in such a way as to deceive the commander-in-chief [Putin], then either he will tear your ass, or the Russian people will be angry that the war is lost.”

Military analysts say the Russian Defense Ministry may be rationing ammunition not only to push back Prigozhin, who has been feuding with them for months, but also to stock up ahead of a long-awaited Ukrainian retaliation. offensive.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to publicly respond to Mr. Prigozhin's accusations, but his ultimatum last week prompted an official announcement promising a steady supply of ammunition across the front line.

Mr. Prigozhin on Tuesday confirmed the deadline for leaving the city if they do not receive all the requested ammunition.