It reeks of desperation - US comments on growing influence of Prigozhin in Russia

This was stated by US State Department spokesman Ned Price during a video briefing.

He noted that the reference to Prigozhin's influence indicates that the Russian forces have begun to use more radical means to move their troops to Ukraine. Moreover, most of these fighters are ordinary prisoners, mostly convicted of serious, violent crimes.

"These are individuals who have been accused and convicted of heinous crimes, violent crimes, murder, rape, who are now fighting in Ukraine because they've been promised pardon or leniency. That itself is repugnant. Human rights groups have condemned it as extralegal. We have made the point that it reeks of desperation. That's not going to change the ultimate title battle," Price emphasized.

• Also during the briefing, Ned Price said that the United States is trying to change the current dynamics of the war in Ukraine by providing assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

• On January 10, the Institute for the Study of War reported that the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, uses the reports about the situation in Soledar, Donetsk region, to strengthen the reputation of his private company as an effective fighting force.