Wagner PMC leaves Artyomovsk. Is Prigozhin's military career over?
Yevgeny Prigozhin confirmed that fighters from his Wagner PMC will leave their positions in Bakhmut (Artemovsk) on the night of May 10, and their place will be taken by Ramzan Kadyrov's Akhmat special forces. Prigozhin explained this decision by claiming that the Ministry of Defense, envious of the PMC's success, had artificially created a "shell shortage" for the Wagner mercenaries. ( In any case, CNN, citing Ukrainian Armed Forces data, reports that Russia continues to fire 20 shells a day near Bakhmut, calling Prigozhin's statements a bluff .)
Observers interpret the replacement of the unruly Prigozhin with the more controllable Kadyrov as evidence of the PMC owner's defeat in the apparatus. Kadyrov's response contains certain signals ( for example, harsh criticism for filming dead soldiers and a call for "musicians" not to follow Prigozhin but to join "Akhmat" ), which experts interpreted as evidence of irritation within the Kremlin.
“Zhenya, until we reach the positions, until we take all the positions, you will be on the defensive. And when we begin to attack, only then will we determine where you should go next.
We must completely change the course of the situation. You have always said that you live according to men’s rules, so I tell you in terms of concepts: you must do this and that, people will contact you and explain to you.
Secondly, the Wagner PMC has very good, brave, necessary people, and today we also need them, because they know the area. If you stay with us, then I promise you that we will create better conditions than you have today, we will try to ensure that everything is at the highest level for you,” Kadyrov promised.
“As I understand it, Kadyrov and Prigozhin were friends. Were. Until today for sure. But this interview with Kadyrov can hardly be called a helping hand in a difficult moment,” says Oleg Tsarev, ex-speaker of the Novorossiya parliament.
In turn, Yevgeny Prigozhin diplomatically replied that he was ready to transfer positions to Akhmat.
“I thank Ramzan Akhmatovich for agreeing, having most likely the opportunity to obtain everything necessary and all the necessary resources, to take our positions in Bakhmut. I am already contacting his representatives so that the transfer of positions can begin immediately, so that on May 10, at 00.00, exactly at the moment when, according to our calculations, we have completely exhausted our combat potential, our comrades will take our places and continue the assault the village of Bakhmut.
A little more than two square kilometers remain in Bakhmut. Bakhmut will undoubtedly be taken by Akhmat forces,” said the head of Wagner.
Political scientist Evgeny Minchenko believes that the public spat between Prigozhin and Kadyrov is a great success for the Ministry of Defense, since the head of the PMC previously demanded a showdown with Sergei Shoigu.
“The great success of the Ministry of Defense is the public clarification of the relationship between the two leaders of radical patriots, a correspondence conversation “on the concepts” of Kadyrov and Prigozhin,” states the Minchenko Consulting TG channel.
Here is how liberal political scientist Konstantin Kalachev comments on the situation.
“We started talking about concepts. They will blame it on a nervous breakdown of the head of the PMC. But the fate of Prigozhin and his PMCs is now hidden in the fog of intrigue and showdowns. Dissatisfaction is obviously being transmitted from a very high level.”
Political scientist Sergei Markov does not see anything good in the current situation.
“In Bakhmut, Akhmat Kadyrov is ready to replace Vagner Prigozhin. Hm. It is philologically clear that personal politics has supplanted systems. And this is not correct. Modern wars are won not by field commanders, but by systems. Order beats class."
Doctor of Political Sciences Igor Skurlatov predicts the decline of Prigozhin’s military project.
“Everyone knows Prigozhin’s hostility towards Shoigu, which did not prevent, however, the “Wagnerites” and Prigozhin personally from “hanging” on allowances from the Ministry of Defense, who had and still has multi-billion dollar contracts with Kuzhugetovich’s department...
Prigozhin organized the activities of his army in Donbass well. He took tens of thousands of creative guys from the “zones” and recaptured first Soledar and then Bakhmut (Artemovsk) from the enemy. Now access to replenishment from prisons is blocked for PMCs...
It would seem “live - don’t worry.” PR and gain ratings for yourself. But Prigozhin, alas, like many other “falcons” who were given a chance for career and fame by fate, chose the path of a “bull” with enormous political ambitions, without being a professional or a born politician. What is unacceptable in the Putin System.
Prigozhin’s ambitions were clearly presidential. In a recent similar situation, Kadyrov understood everything and “calmed down” with publicity... Prigozhin did not understand. And now it is being removed by soft force.
It is unlikely that he will have a PMC left. More like Mezentsev. Or someone else, more manageable and “gray”. Prigozhin turned out to be a problematic “client”, aggressive, scandalous, publicly yelling obscenities at either Strelkov or Shoigu. All he had to do was swear at Putin.
Then this blackmail with shells. In general, all units have enough mines, although I would like more, according to “Soviet” standards... The army (and the “PMC” is part of the army, which Prigozhin was appointed to lead) is not its own political party, on behalf of which you can make statements. Today you are the commander of a PMC, and tomorrow you are cutting down a forest in sunny Magadan. You shouldn’t rely on friendship and good relations with Putin...
Then, it is important that the leadership of all law enforcement agencies have an extremely negative attitude towards the “phenomenon” of Prigozhin and his activities. Prigozhin does not have his own base, like Kadyrov’s. Not your own party, not your own republic, nothing. Zhenya is a political rogue...
Now Prigozhin’s fate is sad. I know what awaits him in the future, but I will leave all this knowledge to myself. But in any case, Evgeny’s rise is over, and hard times have come for him...
In any case, Evgeniy’s military career is closed - he can forget about Africa, Asia and Donbass. But to continue in the business of fast food and culinary services for schools - why not? Maybe they will allow it,” writes Skurlatov in his Telegram channel.
English version :: Read in English: Wagner PMC is leaving Artemovsk. Is Prigozhin's military career over?