Putin may remove Prigozhin if he suspects him of having political ambitions - General Malomuzh

He said this on Espreso TV. 

“Prigozhin cannot do much PR today without Putin's permission. He is completely under Putin's control. He has been allowed to recruit to the Wagner PMC again. However, if Putin suspects Prigozhin of having political ambitions or of playing against him, he will most likely physically eliminate him. Putin still has the resources to do so,” Malomuzh explained.

The general emphasized that Putin's regime controls the situation within the Russian elites.

“Putin is aware of the danger that comes from Prigozhin. That's why his regime is trying to control such radicals in Russia. If they try to say anything against Putin and the Russian army, they will go to prison. Moreover, Putin has signed a decree that says that speaking out against the government and the army can result in up to 15 years in prison. That is why people like Prigozhin, Girkin, and Kadyrov will not speak out against Putin,” he added.

• According to ISW analysts, the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is seeking to create information to justify the mercenaries' inability to completely surround Bakhmut.