Divide between Wagner and Russian Ministry of Defense reduces their combat effectiveness — ISW

This is stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russian milbloggers reacted disturbingly to Lieutenant Colonel Venevitin's video, highlighting the growing concerns among pro-war speakers regarding the consequences of the Wagner-MoD split.

A well-known media blogger called for Venevitin to face trial in the military prosecutor's office, a standard procedure in such cases. However, the blogger acknowledged that the ongoing conflict between Wagner PMC and the Russian Ministry of Defense remains unhealthy.

Another military blogger, claiming to have personally spoken with the company's command, accused both the PMC and MoD units of lacking a clear purpose in their fight and attempting to outdo each other to prove themselves as "heroes." 

Igor Girkin, a former Russian officer and notorious critic of the military campaign, stated that Venevitin's video is another step towards potential trouble, regardless of the incident's circumstances. Girkin also suggested that Prigozhin is intentionally provoking an open war between units that are supposed to be on the same side.

As Prigozhin continues to struggle to maintain relevance in the information space, his rhetorical tactics are likely to deepen the divide between the Ministry of Defense and Wagner PMC. This divide hampers the overall combat effectiveness of both forces and adds to the growing discontent in the information sphere that previously supported him.

• The Freedom of Russia Legion, which conducts raids in the Belgorod region, proposed exchanging the commander of the 72nd brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, Roman Venevitin, for several Russian prisoners. In response, the leader of the Wagner PMC stated that he handed over the lieutenant colonel to law enforcement officers.