Throughout this war, there has been another battle raging, one between two men at the heart of Russian power.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the notorious Wagner mercenary group, and Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, have been jostling for position.
It initially centred around Bakhmut, an unremarkable town in the middle of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. While the regular Russian army struggled elsewhere, the Wagner group managed to make gains.
Prigozhin used his forces’ success as an opportunity to build his own profile – and criticise the troops under Shoigu.
He accused the Ministry of Defence of denying his men ammunition, even threatening to pull out. When victories occurred, both sides tried to take credit.
Prigozhin always took care to avoid criticising President Putin himself, but was scathing of those around him.
People I spoke to at the time suggested he was sailing very close to the wind, potentially overplaying his hand.
If the emerging reports are to be believed, it seems he has decided to go all in.
Comentários