Wagner chief uses Belgorod attack to lash out at military leadership

(Patria) - The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, used the attack by alleged Ukrainian nationalists on Russia's border region of Belgorod as yet another opportunity to publicly attack the Russian Ministry of Defence and criticise the leadership for failing to protect the country's borders.

Russia claims that groups of Ukrainian militants crossed the border in the Belgorod region and attacked various locations. Russian officials announced that more than 70 militants were killed or pushed back. Ukraine denied playing any role in the cross-border attack. Kyiv said that two Russian armed groups fighting against the Kremlin were behind the attack. Prigozhin used the Belgorod attack as yet another opportunity to lash out at the top
defence officials, with whom he has been publicly feuding for the past several months.

In an audio message on Telegram, he said that he had previously offered to train fighters in the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk, but Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told him not to "meddle" where he was not needed and that Russia was capable of defending its borders.

"I believe that the border guards fearlessly and responsibly confronted this sabotage group. But where was the army when the sabotage group broke in? That is an important question to address to the military leadership," Prigozhin said, adding: "As far as I know, the military department is not making an effort to strengthen our borders."

Prigozhin also attacked the governments of the border regions. He said that "there is a lack of management, and public funds have been cut" and that some government officials are "playing the fool."

"There is no authority, no desire, nor individuals ready to defend their country. I have spoken about this many times in both the Belgorod and Kursk regions," Prigozhin added, as reported by agencies.