A prominent friend of Vladimir Putin has urged him to stop the war now and tell the world that Russia has achieved the objectives of its “special military operation,” which included decimating “a large portion of the active male population of Ukraine’.
Yevgeny Prigozhin – head of the Wagner mercenary army deployed by the Kremlin – posted an incoherent statement online last night making the startling call for the war to end.
He claimed that Russia had taken a “big swath” of Ukrainian territory and that the most strategic route for its forces – which have suffered heavy casualties – would be to defend existing gains.
The warmonger, who has been tipped as a potential political threat to Putin, also warned that the Russian people could seek a “scapegoat” for military failures as the brutal war continues.
This could lead to revolutionary fervor, as seen in 1917 – yet Prigozhin insisted that “nothing” threatened the “supreme power of Russia,” apparently referring to Putin.
Yevgeny Prigozhin – a top friend of Vladimir Putin and head of the Wagner mercenary army deployed by the Kremlin – posted an extensive statement calling for an end to the war
Prighozin admitted that Ukraine could launch a counter-offensive and break Russian lines
Prigozhin’s statement is the first time that a senior Putin henchman, who is also directly involved in ground fighting, has publicly advised that the Kremlin end the war.
His surprise call for the country to declare an end to hostilities seems to recognize the weakness of the Kremlin’s armed forces and a lack of hunger for war among the Russian people.
Russia had succeeded in killing a large number of Ukrainian men and inducing others to leave the country, he claimed, not citing the larger numbers of its own people who have died.
“For the authorities and society as a whole, it is necessary today to definitively stop the special military operation,” said Prigozhin, who has been nicknamed Putin’s “chief” because he once presided over Kremlin banquets.
“The ideal option is to announce the end of the special military operation, to inform everyone that Russia has achieved the planned results, and in a sense we have actually achieved them.
Prigozhin is believed to harbor political ambitions and is seen as aiming to take over an existing political party called Just Russia
“We have cut down a huge number of fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and we can report to ourselves that the tasks of the special military operation have been accomplished.”
He said in the article, “Theoretically, Russia has already done that [made a point] by exterminating a large part of Ukraine’s active male population and by intimidating another part who fled to Europe.
Russia cut off the Sea of Azov and a large part of the Black Sea, seized a thick chunk of Ukrainian territory and created a land corridor to Crimea.
“Now there’s only one thing left to do: get a firm foothold, claw into those areas that already exist.”
He admitted that Ukraine could launch a counter-offensive and break Russian lines.
In this case in the [Russian] army, which for many years considered itself one of the best armies in the world, decadent moods can arise at first, after which the situation deteriorates.”
This happened in historic wars with Finland and Japan, but also in World War I, when the revolution broke out in 1917 with “tragic events,” he said.
“This could lead to global changes in Russian society,” he said.
An aerial view of damaged residential buildings from shelling in Kharkiv earlier this year
“The people are already looking for a culprit for the fact that we are not the strongest army in the world, and in this situation they will look for ‘the scapegoat’.”
These are likely members of Russia’s “deep state,” he said, people who would “betray Russia’s interests” for their own gain.
“At the same time, nothing threatens the supreme power of Russia, as it is a symbol of national unity and resistance to the West,” he wrote.
A “painful” Ukrainian counter-offensive could play into Russia’s hands, he added.
“I summarize – the Ukrainians are ready to attack.
“We are ready to deflect the blow.
“The best scenario to heal Russia so that it unites and becomes the strongest state is the offensive of the armed forces of Ukraine, in which no…negotiations are possible.
Prigozhin is believed to harbor political ambitions and is seen as aiming to take over an existing political party called Just Russia
“And either Ukraine’s armed forces will be defeated in a fair fight, or Russia will lick its wounds, build muscle and tear its rivals apart again in a fair fight.”
The option of agreements with Ukraine to end the war is “impossible,” he said.
Prigozhin is believed to harbor political ambitions and is seen as aiming to take over an existing political party called Just Russia.
The warlord’s latest statement appears to be an example of his political muscle flexing, and he has frequently spoken out about Kremlin tactics during the war.
It stands in stark contrast to what analysts describe as a sign that the Russian government is planning for a protracted conflict.
A new law introduced yesterday that prevents certain Russian men from evading conscription suggests Moscow expects to maximize its troop supply as the war continues, Britain’s Defense Ministry said today.
Putin reportedly signed a bill yesterday to create a digital calling system, meaning authorities could submit draft documents over the Internet instead of by letter.
The measure, which is reported to take effect later this year, would remove a way to avoid military duties.
“Now that individuals’ call records are digitally linked to other state-provided online services, it is likely that authorities will penalize conscription evaders by automatically restricting labor rights and restricting foreign travel,” the Defense Department said.
“For the time being, Russia is prioritizing an action to recruit additional volunteer troops. However, the measure is most likely part of a long-term approach to supplying personnel, as Russia expects a protracted conflict in Ukraine.”