Wagner Group conflict: is Prigozhin getting rid of 'old guard'?

Prigozhin, who had previously constantly claimed a conflict between the PMC and the Ministry of Defense and complained about the lack of shells, appointed General Mizintsev, who was responsible for logistics at the Ministry of Defense, as his first deputy instead of Utkin.

That is, the person who should have been responsible for the so-called 'shell famine' and mass deaths of PMC mercenaries is being appointed to a new position.

Earlier, the owner of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, posted online photos of Russian mercenaries who allegedly died because the Russian army did not provide the PMC with shells.

“Mizintsev's appointment is indicative of the processes taking place within the PMC itself. Namely, Prigozhin's conflict with the company's old elite. After all, it was Utkin who stood at the origins of the PMC and it was with his light hand that the organization was named 'Wagner'”

Thus, Mizintsev's appointment is indicative of the processes taking place within the PMC itself. Namely, Prigozhin's conflict with the company's old elite. After all, it was Utkin who stood at the origins of the PMC and it was with his light hand that the organization was named 'Wagner.'

It is noteworthy that Colonel-General Mizintsev is considered Putin's 'favorite.'

Let me remind you that since 2014, Mizintsev has been the director of the National Defense Management Center of the Russian Federation. In 2017, he was promoted to colonel general. In September 2022, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia, responsible for the logistics of the Russian Armed Forces.

Specially for Espreso

About the author. Dmytro Sniehyriov, columnist for Espreso. 

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