“Russian Private Military Company Wagner Claims Ukrainian Counter-Offensive Has Begun Amid Increased Activity on All Fronts”

Photo: archive, BGNES

The head of the Russian private military company “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin said that, according to him, the Ukrainian counter-offensive has already begun and there is increased activity on all fronts, Reuters reported.

In an audio address released to Telegram by his press office, he said the “active phase” of the counteroffensive would begin in the coming days.

“The armed forces of Ukraine have already started their counteroffensive. The manpower and ammunition at their disposal are unlimited,” says the head of “Wagner”.

Later in the day, Prigozhin stated that during the last 24 hours the fighters from “Wagner” in Bakhmut had advanced by 230 meters. According to him, the Russian forces already control an area of ​​54,000 square meters, and “under the control of the enemy remain 2, 64 sq. km”.

Reuters notes that it could not confirm the information from an independent source.

Prigozhin again criticized the Russian Defense Ministry for ignoring his requests to increase the supply of ammunition to his forces in Bakhmut, and added that the resources of the Wagner fighters would last only a few more days.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the US will send Ukraine about $300 million worth of additional military aid, including massive amounts of artillery shells, howitzers, air-to-surface missiles and ammunition, as the start of the spring offensive against Russian forces nears. This was reported by the Associated Press, citing the Pentagon.

The new package includes Hydra-70 missiles, which are unguided air-launched missiles. In addition, the package will also contain an unspecified number of ammunition for the HAYMARS rocket launchers, for howitzers, for mortars and for anti-tank grenade launchers. All of these weapons will be withdrawn from Pentagon stockpiles so that they can reach the front more quickly.

The new shipment comes as Ukrainian officials say they are preparing for a counteroffensive. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Ukrainian forces were in “the final phase when we can say, ‘Yes, everything is ready.'” Ukrainian officials said they were stockpiling munitions to store along the potentially long lines of procurement.

In recent months, the U.S. has declined to say exactly how much military material will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other previous shipments, the AP said. It includes trucks, trailers, spare parts and other maintenance assistance.

This is the thirty-seventh package of aid from the Pentagon’s stockpiles to be sent to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022. The total value of all US military aid packages so far amounts to about 36 billion dollars.

Officials say the weapons and other equipment will help Ukraine prepare to go on the offensive after a long and bloody winter standoff and heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine, particularly around the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia continues to focus its efforts on offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, focusing its attacks around Liman, Bakhmut, Avdeyevka and Mariinka.
(BTA)