War in Ukraine. The head of Wagner accuses the Russian General Staff of “betrayal”.

The head of the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, on Tuesday, February 21, accused his country’s general staff of “betrayalrefusing, according to him, to provide equipment to his mercenaries on the eastern line of Ukraine.

The announcements by businessman Yevgeny Prigogine mark an escalation in tensions between his Wagner group and the Russian military, who appear to be in a rivalry in Ukraine.

“Treason to the Fatherland, while Wagner Fights for Bachmut”

Tensions have become increasingly visible in recent weeks as Russian forces seek to capture the eastern city of Bakhmut, where the army and Wagner each claim advances, at times contradicting each other.

“The Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense are issuing orders at all costs, asking not only not to give ammunition to the “Wagner” paramilitary group, but also not to help it with air transport.Yevgeny Prigozhin scolded in a voice recording published by his press service on Telegram.

“There is a frontal opposition, which is nothing more than an attempt to destroy Wagner. It can be compared to the betrayal of the motherland, because Wagner fights for Bachmut, giving hundreds of victims every day.“, he added.

Increasing tension

In the evening, the Russian Ministry of Defense responded with a statement detailing how much ammunition was delivered.volunteer assault squadsthe name the army seems to use to describe Wagner’s men. “All requests for assault unit ammo are processed as soon as possible“They reassured the ministry, promising new shipments from Saturday and condemning as”.absolutely false» information that indicates a shortage in this area.

The Ministry once again welcomed “courage“and”self-sacrifice“that”volunteers“Russians fight and condemn”split attempts“, those “counterproductive and only for the benefit of the opponent“.

While Yevgeny Prigogine has repeatedly criticized the Russian high command in the past, this ad hominem attack from Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Putin’s two main power figures, is clearly an escalation.

The tension also underscores the difficulties faced by Russian forces three days before the anniversary of the launch of an offensive against Ukraine that should have ended quickly with the capture of Kiev and is now a quagmire. Wagner, who has recruited thousands of prisoners to fight in Ukraine, has led the Bakhmut offensive since the summer and recently seized a number of nearby settlements in an attempt to encircle the city. On Tuesday, Yevgeny Prigogine accused the high command of even banning the supply of Wagner fighters.shovels that allow you to dig trenches“. Neither the army nor the Ministry of Defense responded immediately.