In a video, the head of the Russian mercenaries, Yevgeny Prigozhin, demands that artillery shells and cartridges be delivered. Russian billionaires are also willing to spend money in this way. According to Prigozhin, the monthly costs for the necessary ammunition amount to about half a billion dollars (converted about 470 million euros).
The Russian mercenary force Wagner currently needs 10,000 tons per month for the battle of Bakhmut. Therefore, more artillery shells and cartridges should be supplied. In Moscow, no one needs to worry that Prigozhin harbors political ambitions. Therefore, the required amount of ammunition must also be delivered without reservation. “We will win”, the Wagner boss is convinced.
In the video, he also admitted that corruption is rampant in Russia. But he would “take his own corrupt connections to the grave.”
The video, released on Saturday, reportedly shows Prigozhin on the roof of a house in the largely destroyed city of Bakhmut. Relatively rare shots can be seen, such as many destroyed houses and streets. While the disputed city in eastern Ukraine had about 70,000 inhabitants before the war, now there are only a few thousand. According to British military experts, the Wagner group largely controls the East. The west, on the other hand, is still in the hands of the Ukrainian army, which has destroyed important bridges.
Symbolic fight?
The Bakhmutka River, which flows through the city center, is said to be the front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has successfully called for missiles and battle tanks in the past, wants to keep Bakhmut at all costs. The city, which has been fighting since late summer, is said to be of strategic importance. If the Russian troops manage to capture them completely, the road to the major cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk will be open. The armed forces have already captured Sieverodonetsk and Lysychansk in the same Donetsk region.
Ukrainian ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said the battle for Bakhmut will help buy time to prepare a counter-offensive. In contrast, observers believe the battle is symbolic for both sides. Some experts question the usefulness of further fighting over Bakhmut.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
