A recently surfaced video featuring Wagner Group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has cast doubt on the private military contractor's participation in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
The video, whose authenticity is yet to be verified, shows Prigozhin welcoming his troops to Belarus while expressing discontent with the situation at the frontlines.
“Welcome guys! I am happy to greet you all. Welcome to the Belarusian land! We fought with dignity! We have done a lot for Russia,” said the man who appears to be Prigozhin.
The authenticity of the video, obtained by Daryo, is currently being investigated. In the footage, a man whose voice and Russian language skills resemble those of Prigozhin is seen addressing his men in what appears to be a gathering. Prigozhin is heard stating:
"We fought honorably. What is going on at the front is a disgrace that we do not need to get involved in. And perhaps we will return to the SMO [special military operation in Ukraine] at some point when we are sure that we will not be forced to shame ourselves."
Prigozhin's remarks suggest hesitancy in engaging in the conflict and indicate a potential reconsideration of Wagner's involvement in the future.
Significance of the Video and Impact on Wagner Group:
The video comes in the wake of a reported mutiny attempt by Wagner earlier in June, which drew attention to internal divisions within the group. The recent footage further reinforces the notion that Wagner is facing challenges in maintaining its cohesion and commitment to the war effort.
The authenticity and timing of the video are crucial as they coincide with British MI6 chief Richard Moore's statement that Putin is "clearly under pressure" following the mutiny attempt.
"He (Putin) is clearly under pressure. You don't have a group of mercenaries advance up the motorway towards Moscow and get to within 125 kilometres of Moscow, unless you have not quite predicted that was going to happen. So I think he probably feels under some pressure. Prigozhin was his creature utterly created by Putin, and yet he turned on him." Moore stated.
This raises speculation about the effect of internal discontent within Wagner on the broader Russian military strategy in Ukraine.
Evacuations in Crimea and Ongoing Airstrikes in Odesa:
In other developments, Russia has begun evacuating thousands of individuals from the Crimean peninsula due to a fire at a military training base in the Kirovske district. The evacuation aims to ensure the safety of those affected by the incident.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's port city of Odesa has experienced intensified Russian airstrikes. These airstrikes escalated following Putin's withdrawal from a previously agreed-upon deal allowing safe grain exports from the region. The attacks have resulted in devastating consequences for Odesa, with local residents and authorities struggling to cope with the aftermath of the strikes.
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