The press service of the head of PMC Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin published his answer to a question regarding the retreat of the Russian Defense Ministry troops on the flanks of the front in the Bakhmut area.
According to him, the Russian army did not make a “tactical retreat” on the flanks, as Konashenkov, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said, but ran. Prigozhin notes that the announced by the Ministry of Defense "occupation [by the Russian military] of the line, taking into account the favorable conditions of the Berkhov reservoir" means that "the enemy will approach Bakhmut" at a distance of 500 meters, "occupying all tactical heights."
The head of the Wagner PMC said that his mercenaries surrounded Bakhmut for seven months, and then handed over the flanks to the regular military, who could not hold them. Prigozhin suggests that as a result, the city, almost captured by Russia, may now be surrounded by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He also traditionally once again complained that the Wagner PMCs did not have enough shells and equipment, which is why the mercenaries "practically cannot cover the military with fire." In addition, Prigozhin mentioned that the capture of Bakhmut himself would not give Russia anything if he was surrounded, and suggested "stop lying" because this could lead to "a global tragedy for Russia."
Earlier, Prigozhin's press service published his letter in which he invited Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Bakhmut, noting his "many years of experience in combat operations." At the same time, Shoigu has no military education, he never served in the army and did not participate in hostilities.