The Kremlin has acknowledged the offensive to take Bakhmut has been “difficult” and has created an “emotional situation,” in an apparent reference to the feud between Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.
“I can tell you one thing: yes, indeed, quite an emotional situation. Very difficult offensive operations are being carried out there,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said during an interview with Bosnian news outlet ATV on Wednesday, according to state news agency TASS.
“This is a very strong fortified area, a huge grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is concentrated there, which constantly receives replenishment. Including foreign equipment, and foreign ammunition. Therefore, of course, emotions are running high there,” he added.
Without naming Prigozhin or Shoigu, Peskov seemed to address the rift between the two, saying they were unified in their goals.
“I will not name different names, but I will say: no matter what is said, no matter what statements are made, we are still talking about, let's say, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” he explained. “These are all Russian forces, unified forces. And they pursue one single goal.”
The Kremlin spokesman also said he was sure Russia would conquer Bakhmut.
“We have no doubt that Artemovsk (Russia's name for Bakhmut) will be taken, it will continue to be held,” he said.
Some background: Russian forces have tried for months to capture the eastern city of Bakhmut. Some of the fighting has been carried out by troops from Russia’s official army, provided by Shoigu’s defense ministry – but most of the manpower has been provided by the Wagner group, Prigozhin’s private mercenary company.
While the fighting continues to rage around Bakhmut, another type of battle has been playing out on the sidelines – as Prigozhin has launched a series of public tirades against Moscow, berating Russia’s military leadership for sitting “like fat cats” while his Wagner troops die by the thousands. He has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the area if not provided with more supplies.
