Ukraine war: Russia's Wagner mercenary boss threatens Bakhmut pullout
Kathmandu: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russian paramilitary group Wagner, on Friday threatened to pull his fighters from the front line in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine starting May 10, saying ammunition shortages meant they faced 'senseless death'.
Prigozhin's statement came after he posted a gruesome video of him walking among dead fighters' bodies, asking defence officials for more supplies.
In a sudden announcement, the Wagner chief says his forces will leave Bakhmut on May 10 after posting a video slamming top Russian generals. Prigozhin said they were leaving due to heavy losses and a lack of ammunition.
'I declare on behalf of the Wagner fighters, on behalf of the Wagner command, that on May 10, 2023, we are obliged to transfer positions in the settlement of Bakhmut to units of the defence ministry and withdraw the remains of Wagner to logistics camps to lick our wounds,' Prigozhin said in a statement.
'I’m pulling Wagner units out of Bakhmut because in the absence of ammunition they’re doomed to perish senselessly,' he added.
Hours before releasing the statement, Prigozhin’s spokespersons published a video of him angrily demanding ammunition from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov.
Wagner fighters have spearheaded Russia’s attempt to capture Bakhmut and have continuously complained to Russian defence ministers over the lack of weapons deliveries.
Russia has been trying to capture the city for months, despite its questionable strategic value.