Wagner fears a Russian “betrayal” in Bakhmut

The head of the Russian private military \”Wagner\” group once again criticized the lack of ammunition, and expressed fear of being betrayed by Russia in Bakhmut, where battles are raging in eastern Ukraine. \”Orders were issued for delivery on February 23, but so far most of the ammunition has not been sent,\” Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a post on social media on Sunday evening. He cited two possible reasons for the delay: \”the usual bureaucracy or treason.\”

This came in conjunction with the Ukrainian army\’s announcement yesterday (Monday) of its intention to strengthen its positions and continue fighting in Bakhmut, denying speculation about a withdrawal in front of the Russian forces that are trying to besiege this symbolic city. During a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leaders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces expressed their support for continuing the defensive operation and \”strengthening our positions in Bakhmut,\” according to an official statement.

Also, the Ukrainian Air Force announced, yesterday, that it shot down drones that took off from southern Russia at night, after sirens sounded for hours in Kiev. The Air Force said that Russian forces launched 15 Iranian-made Shahed aircraft from the Bryansk region, northeast of Kiev, 13 of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces.

In a related context, the Russian army announced that the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, visited Mariupol in southern Ukraine, and inspected the reconstruction operations in this city, which was destroyed by the siege last summer. The army stated that the minister inspected a medical center, a relief center, and a new residential neighborhood comprising twelve buildings.