The Russian Ministry of Defense has changed the priority on the battlefield, shifting the operational focus of capturing Bakhmut to preparing for a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
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This shift in focus for the Russian army put the Wagner Military Command and its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a potentially difficult position. For in the video, where Putin’s cook is hysterical about the lack of ammunition, one can see the “desperation and deep anger” of the leader of the “Wagnerites”. At the same time, the mercenaries did not stop attempts to completely capture Bakhmut, despite limited access to ammunition. This is stated in the report of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) for May 5.
Wagner’s continued persistence in Bakhmut runs counter to a general slowdown in Russian offensive operations elsewhere in Ukraine, as the regular Russian army appears to be largely shifting focus to prepare for a long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive, the report says.
Also, ISW does not know if the Wagnerites are really planning to leave Bakhmut on May 10, or if it was just a desperate attempt to enlist the support of the Russian defense department.
At the same time, it is noted that the personnel of the Russian army does not have enough reserves necessary to complete the positions, the Wagner PPK can be left in Bakhmut.
Recall that on May 5, the founder of the PIK “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the “Wagnerites” would leave Bakhmut on May 10, and explained his decision with shell hunger.
The MOU’s Main Intelligence Directorate said that Prigozhin made a statement about his withdrawal because of his intention to absolve himself of responsibility for the failures. In addition, Ukrainian intelligence does not record any withdrawal of troops now in the Bakhmut area.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.