By John Ikani
A fresh dispute has erupted between the Wagner Group and the Russian military, heightening the long-standing animosity between the two factions.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, vehemently rejected Russia’s assertions of causing substantial damage to Ukraine in the Donbas region during an attempted offensive by Kyiv.
Prigozhin dismissed the claims as “wild and absurd science fiction.”
Nevertheless, Russia’s defence ministry reaffirmed its stance on Tuesday, asserting that Ukraine had suffered more than 3,700 casualties.
The attack allegedly took place as part of a Ukrainian “long-promised offensive” in the Donetsk region over the course of Sunday and Monday.
Contradicting Russia’s claims, Ukraine’s military stated on Monday that it had no information regarding a major attack in the region.
They refused to comment on what they called “fake” allegations.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in an interview with state media, maintained that his forces had inflicted over 3,715 casualties on Ukraine during the assault and had destroyed numerous military vehicles.
Shoigu emphasized, “The attempts at an offensive have failed. The enemy has been halted. Russian soldiers and officers displayed courage and heroism in the battles.” He also disclosed that 71 Russian troops had lost their lives in the conflict.
Prigozhin, however, swiftly denounced the defense ministry’s claims on Monday evening. He labelled the notion of a resounding victory as a potential “massacre.”
On Telegram, he wrote, “Therefore, I think that these are just some wild fantasies.” Prigozhin further accused Russian forces of gradually withdrawing from the outskirts of Bakhmut, specifically the village of Berkhivka, which he regarded as a “disgrace.”
Responding to Prigozhin’s allegations, Moscow issued a statement on Tuesday, dismissing his claims as inconsistent with reality.
They insisted that the suburb remained under Moscow’s control.
Authorities in Kyiv have admitted to engaging in “offensive actions” in certain parts of the country.
Also, a US official informed the BBC’s American partner, CBS News, on Tuesday that it is accurate to say that the Ukrainian counter-offensive is in its initial stages, but the main thrust is yet to commence.
Deputy Defense Minister of Kyiv, Hanna Maliar, stated on Monday that offensive operations had begun around the eastern city of Bakhmut, which she referred to as the “epicentre of hostilities.”
Late on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Ukrainian fighters for delivering “the news we are expecting” in the Bakhmut region through a video address.
Bakhmut has witnessed intense fighting for several months. Although it holds little strategic value, its significance is symbolic for both Kyiv and Moscow.
Prigozhin’s fighters played a significant role in the battle for Bakhmut, and he frequently criticized Russian officials for what he perceived as inadequate frontline support.
However, at the end of May, he announced that his forces were withdrawing from the city to transfer control to the Russian army.
Prigozhin is believed to harbour his own political aspirations, and his forces’ objectives have not always aligned with those of the military, resulting in tensions between the factions.
Moreover, the paramilitary group recently detained a regular Russian army officer who allegedly opened fire on a Wagner vehicle in Ukraine.
In a video released by the group, the officer claimed that the incident occurred while he was intoxicated and that his actions stemmed from personal animosity towards Wagner.
