Russia’s Wagner chief warns against Ukraine counterattack ‘tragedy’

The head of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, warned Sunday that a Ukrainian counteroffensive could turn into a “tragedy” for Russia and complained that his fighters lacked ammunition.

For months Wagner has spearheaded the Russian attack on Bakhmut, the east Ukrainian town at the epicenter of fighting.

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Prigozhin is an ally of President Vladimir Putin but as head of the private military group has been involved in a power struggle with Russia’s defense ministry.

“We (Wagner) have only 10-15 percent of the shells that we need,” he said, blaming the leadership of the Russian army.

He spoke in an interview to Russian pro-Kremlin war correspondent Semyon Pegov.

Prigozhin said he expected a Ukrainian counterattack in mid-May.

“This counteroffensive could become a tragedy for our country,” he said.

Ukraine said recently that it was finalizing preparations for a long-expected counteroffensive.

On Sunday, the governor of Russia’s western Bryansk region said Ukraine had shelled a border village, killing four people and wounding two others.

A day earlier, a suspected drone hit a fuel depot in Moscow-annexed Crimea.

Read more:

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Ukraine remains in control of key supply route into Bakhmut: Military spokesperson​​​​​​​