Russia’s Prigozhin says Wagner fighters will quit Bakhmut to ‘lick our wounds’

On Friday, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly announced that his soldiers would leave Bakhmut, a Ukrainian city they have been aiming to conquer since last summer.

Due to heavy losses and insufficient ammunition, Prigozhin announced they would withdraw on May 10, ending the war’s longest and bloodiest battle. He requested that defence chiefs substitute real army troops.

“I declare on behalf of the Wagner fighters, on behalf of the Wagner command, that on May 10, 2023, we are obliged to transfer positions in the settlement of Bakhmut to units of the defence ministry and withdraw the remains of Wagner to logistics camps to lick our wounds,” Prigozhin said.

“I’m removing Wagner units from Bakhmut because they’ll die needlessly without ammunition.”

Bakhmut, a city of 70,000 before the war, has become emblematic for both sides due to its intense and prolonged warfare.

Wagner has led Russia’s seizure of it, and Prigozhin declared three weeks ago that his soldiers held over 80% of the city.

However, Ukrainian defenders have held out, and Prigozhin has grown increasingly angry at the Russian defense establishment’s lack of support.

Since he often makes impulsive comments, his latest statement was unclear. He retracted a “joke” statement last week.

He yelled and swore at Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov in a video on Friday surrounded by dozens of Wagner fighter dead.

Ammunition is 70% short. Shoigu! Gerasimov! “Where’s the ammunition?” he screamed. His press staff censored his profanity-filled diatribe.

WAR’S TURN
The statement comes as Ukraine prepares to unleash a long-awaited counter-offensive.

After Moscow accused Ukraine of firing drones at the Kremlin early Wednesday to kill President Vladimir Putin, it was the second dramatic development in three days. Kyiv denied it, and the US called Kremlin accusations of involvement “lies”.

The Kremlin declined to comment on Prigozhin’s statement, citing its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

The written statement, addressed to the head of general staff, the defence ministry, and Putin as supreme commander, was accompanied by a video showed Prigozhin in full combat gear in front of dozens of his fighters with an automatic rifle on his shoulder.

“Because of the lack of ammunition, our losses are increasing exponentially every day,” the statement claimed.

“My lads will not suffer useless and unjustified losses in Bakhmut without ammunition,” Prigozhin said in the video.

“If, because of your petty jealousy, you do not want to give the Russian people the victory of taking Bakhmut, that’s your problem.”

Prigozhin asked Gerasimov to replace Wagner battalions in Bakhmut with regular troops and specify when.

Wagner’s May 10 withdrawal date allows military leaders five days to fill the void. It might potentially overshadow Putin’s Red Square talk on May 9, when Russia celebrates World War II triumph over Nazi Germany.

Prigozhin expected criticism.

“Smart people will say we should have stayed in Bakhmut longer,” he continued. “Come to Bakhmut, stand up with guns in place of our killed comrades, and criticize.”

“We will lick our wounds, and when the Motherland is in danger, we will rise again to defend it,” Wagner said. We’re reliable for Russia.”