Yevgeny Prigozhin, the billionaire founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, has accused certain defence officials of withholding ammunition from his fighters. In a seven-minute audio message released by his press service, Prigozhin expressed his frustration at the situation, claiming that he had used all his connections and contacts to try and solve the problem but to no avail. He went on to accuse those responsible of “working for the enemy” and enjoying luxurious lifestyles while his fighters were denied the supplies they needed.
The feud between Prigozhin and the Russian elite has been ongoing since the start of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin has publicly criticised generals and Kremlin officials for their lack of enthusiasm in prosecuting the campaign against Kyiv. He has also accused the Ministry of Defence of trying to take credit for Wagner’s achievements on the battlefield.
In his audio message, Prigozhin said those responsible for the shortage of ammunition were “eating breakfast, lunch and dinner off golden plates” and sending their relatives on holiday to Dubai. He has avoided personal attacks in recent weeks, however, after apparently being asked to desist by the Kremlin.
In response to the situation, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov was appointed last month to run the war in Ukraine, while Sergey Surovikin, nicknamed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media, was demoted to deputy commander of the operation. The White House reported last week that the Wagner Group had suffered more than 30,000 casualties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with about 9,000 killed in action. It is believed that 90 percent of those killed in Ukraine since December were convicts, recruited by Prigozhin.
It is clear that there is a deep-seated rivalry between Prigozhin and certain members of the Russian elite. Prigozhin’s accusations of officials withholding ammunition from his fighters is a serious allegation and one that must be taken seriously. It is essential that an investigation is conducted into this matter to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.