https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...-on-russias-frontlines?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Wagner group accused of stoking ‘anarchy’ on Russia’s frontlines Kremlin commander claimed the mercenaries had kidnapped and tortured his soldiers during battle for Bakhmut The Wagner group has been accused of stoking “anarchy” on Russia’s frontlines after one of the Kremlin’s military commanders claimed Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mercenaries had kidnapped and tortured his soldiers during the battle for Bakhmut. In a video posted online, Lt Col Roman Venevitin also accused Wagner soldiers of stealing arms, forcing mobilised soldiers to sign contracts with Wagner, and attempting to extort weapons from the Russian defence ministry in exchange for releasing kidnapped soldiers. The circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent accusations made by Venevitin, who called himself the “already former commander” of Russia’s 72nd Independent Motorised Rifle Brigade, remain unclear. His current whereabouts is not known and it is unclear if the new comments, like those previously, were made under duress. The Guardian was not able to reach Venevitin or independently verify his claims. The kidnapping of Venevitin, which was made public when Prigozhin released a video of his soldiers interrogating the active duty military commander, have already shown that the infighting in the Russian ranks had moved beyond words into physical clashes and ambushes. If true, the accusations would shed new light on the severity of the infighting between Prigozhin and the Russian military, whom the Kremlin-linked tycoon has accused of depriving his mercenaries of shells and of intentionally firing on his fighters while both were engaged with the Ukrainian army in the city of Bakhmut.
Things are finally starting to crack with the Russians ... ... this will be Putin's biggest test. I don't think he's clever enough to handle this coup, or the next. This is when the West should make some noise, sadly Sunak has no gravitas.
Apparently Russian army have shelled Wagner troops, Prigozhin not a happy bunny and going to go after them.
They were low on ammo in Bahkmut and asked Russia for more shells and ammo but it didn't arrive so Prigozhin was already pissed off with Putin. Looks like he is going after them in their own back yard now.
Wagner plans to take his forces ( some 25k) to Moscow but Putin has closed the road off apparently. Ukraine need to strike even harder now and take advantage!
If prigozhin takes over, does his words “ finish this war”, mean stop it altogether, or obliterate Ukraine once and for all ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66006880 This is a defining moment in Russia's 16-month full-scale war in Ukraine and potentially a challenge to Vladimir Putin's grip on power. The Russian leader has accused Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin of treason, embarking on an armed rebellion and "a stab in the back of our country". One of Russia's most important figures, Prigozhin says his aim is "not a military coup but a march for justice". …. Moving his forces across the border into Rostov, he appears to have surrounded the military HQ from where the war is being run, and claims both the minister and chief of staff have fled. He denies betraying Russia, and in an outspoken criticism of the president, says he is "deeply wrong". …. A video has emerged of Prigozhin telling a deputy defence minister and a general in Rostov on Friday that until the two main military figures come and talk to him, his mercenaries will block off the city and head for Moscow. There are reports of a military helicopter being shot down and of a Wagner convoy heading north up the M4 motorway in the Voronezh region north of Rostov. Prigozhin's quarrel is not with Russian soldiers in Ukraine, but with the "clowns" leading them, he argues. Several generals have appealed for him to calm down, but that seems too late.
