Wagner boss says he’s been told to stay in Bakhmut and criticizes Russian military leadership

Yevgeny Prigozhin said for the second time in a matter of days that his forces would leave Bakhmut if they did not receive the ammunition they needed to press the battle. He delivered his latest tirade in a profanity-laced audio message which coincided with Russia marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two with its traditional parade on Moscow’s Red Square. “A combat order came yesterday which clearly stated that if we leave our positions (in Bakhmut), it will be regarded as treason against the motherland. That was the message to us,“ Prigozhin said. “(But) if there is no ammunition, then we will leave our positions and be the ones asking who is really betraying the Motherland. Apparently, the one (betraying the Motherland) is the person who signed it (the order to supply too little ammunition).“ He said his forces would stay in Bakhmut and keep insisting they get their ammo “for a few more days.“ Prigozhin also made a cryptic but profanity-laced comment about those in charge of Russia’s “special military operation“ on Ukraine that risks getting him into more trouble with the Kremlin. In a long audio rant about a purported lack of ammunition for his Wagner fighters in eastern Ukraine, Prigozhin referred to a figure he called “a happy Grandfather“ who thought that all was well with the military campaign, something Moscow calls a “special military operation.“ Prigozhin made the comment in reference to what he said was the continued refusal of the defense ministry to supply his fighters with the number of shells they need to take full control of the city of Bakhmut. The defense ministry has said it is working to ensure all battlefield units have what they need. “And the happy grandfather thinks that he is fine. If he turns out to be right then may God grant everyone health. But what will the country do, our children, grandchildren who are the future of Russia, and how can we win this war if - by chance, and I’m just speculating here - it turns out that this grandfather is a complete f***ing moron?“ The identity of the grandfather figure Prigozhin referred to was unclear, but sufficiently ambiguous to invite speculation. Prigozhin has previously poured scorn on Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff, but has avoided all personal criticism of President Vladimir Putin. Analysts have said his volatile outbursts in recent days - in which he has announced that his forces will withdraw from Bakhmut because of the ammunition problem before saying they will stay and then again suggesting they may leave - looks like an attempt to try to deflect blame for a lack of swift battlefield success. The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: #russia #ukraine #war