ISW: Prigozhin undermines Putin's regime, likely due to unclaimed award "for seizing Bakhmut"

Experts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) inform about this.

The analysis highlights that Prigozhin seems to have again indirectly undermined the authority and regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin by claiming that Russian state media have banned any discussion of Wagner's forces.

Prigozhin suggests that unnamed Russian officials would initially benefit from such censorship, but the people would eventually resist and resent the bureaucrats within 1 to 3 months.

Furthermore, Prigozhin implies that Russian officials could have continued their historical ability to censor Russian society if Russia had not initiated the war in Ukraine.

Prigozhin then redirects the conversation from unnamed Russian officials to a direct appeal to an individual.

Experts believe that Prigozhin's comments are directed at Putin, who is typically portrayed by Russian state media as a leader who tirelessly attends to small infrastructure projects and the lives of ordinary Russians.

The report also suggests that Prigozhin may be attacking Putin because he did not receive the promised reward for capturing Bakhmut.

Experts highlight Prigozhin's statement that the Russian operation in Bakhmut could continue until June 5. He announced on May 28 that it would take several more days for the withdrawal of PMC troops from the city, as Wagner would not be able to hand over all the equipment in good condition by June 1.

Experts also note that the pace of Russian operations around Bakhmut remains notably slow.

A preliminary assessment suggests that the reduced pace of Russian offensive operations in the Bakhmut area could give Ukrainian forces the opportunity to launch a new round of operations around the city if they choose to do so.

• It is worth recalling that the relationship between Yevgeny Prigozhin and the top military leadership of the Russian Federation has long been strained. On February 21, it was reported that he had repeatedly complained about the inadequate supply of ammunition to his fighters, publicly criticizing officials of the Russian Ministry of Defense, including its head, Sergei Shoigu. Recently, Prigozhin stated that he and other high-ranking Wagner members were completely cut off from communication with the Russian government and denied access to Russian ministries.

• On March 13, the Institute for the Study of War reported that the conflict between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Yevgeny Prigozhin reached its peak during the Battle of Bakhmut.

• On May 15, it was alleged that Prigozhin offered Ukraine information on Russian troop positions for attacks in exchange for the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces units from Bakhmut.