Russian Army Retreats in South and East Ukraine: Contradiction to Kremlin Claims – Yevgeny Prigozhin, Head of Wagner PMC

Russian Army Retreating in Ukraine, Contradicting Kremlin’s Claims

According to Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the private military company “Wagner,” the Russian army is retreating in several sectors in the south and east of Ukraine. This contradicts the claims made by the Kremlin that the Ukrainian counteroffensive was a failure. Prigozhin stated in a video posted on Telegram that the Russian army is withdrawing in sectors of Zaporozhye and Kherson region, while the Ukrainian armed forces are advancing. He also mentioned that the enemy is penetrating deeper into their defense in Bakhmut.

Prigozhin’s statements cannot be independently verified, but they contradict the claims made by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Putin has repeatedly stated that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has been a failure and that Kiev’s forces have suffered catastrophic losses. Shoigu also claimed that the Ukrainian army was regrouping after failing to break through Russian forces. However, Prigozhin described these statements as lies and accused the Russian Ministry of Defense of hiding the difficulties and losses faced by the Russian forces.

The fact that Putin has been speaking about the situation on the battlefield indicates that the Ukrainian counter-offensive is being taken seriously by Moscow. This is notable as Putin has refrained from commenting in detail on the conflict in recent months.

Prigozhin, who openly questioned the reasons for the Russian special military operation, referred to the invasion of Ukraine as a “monstrous shame” for Russia. He criticized the lack of normal command and control of the troops, stating that military success is impossible due to this issue. Prigozhin also highlighted problems with the quality of the Russian army and accused Shoigu of killing thousands of Russian soldiers in the early days of the war. He claimed that his group was asked to help at the front only a month after the war started.

Prigozhin further alleged that the war against Ukraine was driven by the desire for certain individuals to gain power and control over the country’s assets. He mentioned plans to appoint Putin’s “godfather” Viktor Medvedchuk as president of Ukraine and divide the country’s material assets among themselves.

In response to Prigozhin’s claims, Ukraine’s adviser to the president, Mykhailo Podolyak, stated that Ukraine’s offensive military actions against the Russian armed forces are aimed at shaping the battlefield. He emphasized that the offensive actions of the Ukrainian army continue in several areas and strategic operations are underway.

The Ukrainian army has reported stopping the advance of Russian troops towards the cities of Kupyansk and Liman in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar stated that fierce battles took place in these directions, but Ukrainian servicemen managed to stop the enemy. Ukraine has also claimed to have shot down 13 Russian cruise missiles aimed at a military airport in the Khmelnytskyi region.

In addition, at least two people were killed in Russian shelling of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. The regional governor of the Kherson region confirmed the casualties and stated that a local transport company was hit in the attack.

The situation in Ukraine remains tense as conflicting reports emerge from both sides. The Ukrainian counteroffensive appears to be gaining momentum, while the Russian army is facing challenges and suffering losses. The true extent of the situation on the ground is difficult to ascertain due to the lack of independent verification.The Russian army is reportedly retreating in several sectors in the south and east of Ukraine, contradicting the Kremlin’s claims of a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the private military company “Wagner,” made these claims in a video posted

How does Yevgeny Prigozhin’s claim about the Russian army retreating in certain sectors of Ukraine contradict the Kremlin’s narrative of a successful military operation?

Nst Ukraine was not carried out for the sake of protecting Russian speakers, but rather for economic interests. He claimed that the conflict was sparked by Russia’s desire to control Ukrainian assets, such as natural resources and industries.

The withdrawal of the Russian army in certain sectors of Ukraine, as claimed by Prigozhin, would be a significant development in the ongoing conflict. It would suggest that the Russian forces are facing difficulties and may be unable to maintain control in certain areas. This contradicts the Kremlin’s narrative of a successful and resilient military operation.

The statements made by Prigozhin also raise questions about the credibility of the Kremlin’s claims regarding the situation in Ukraine. If the Russian army is indeed retreating, it would imply that Moscow’s narrative is being distorted or misrepresented. This could undermine the trust and confidence that the Russian public places in their government’s statements.

It is important to note that Prigozhin is a controversial figure, known for his close ties to the Kremlin and involvement in various controversial activities, including the operation of the private military company “Wagner.” Therefore, there may be some skepticism regarding his statements and motives.

In conclusion, the claims made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the private military company “Wagner,” that the Russian army is retreating in certain sectors of Ukraine contradicts the assertions made by the Kremlin. This discrepancy raises questions about the credibility of the Russian government’s narrative and suggests that the situation in Ukraine may be more complex than initially portrayed.