War re Ukraine: Thread

[grarpamp]

Russia's Military-Industrial-Complex, Uncontrolled Whores For Gold,
Willing Spenders of Lives...


Russia's Wagner Goes On Recruiting Blitz, Opening Centers In 42 Cities

https://www.newsweek.com/kremlin-cuts-off-wagners-direct-access-1786788
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/03/10/russias-wagner-group-opens-dozens-of-recruitment-centers-a80450

Despite ongoing tensions with the Russian Defense Ministry, private
security firm Wagner is going on a recruiting blitz, fresh off
battlefield successes in Ukraine's east, notably in Soledar and now
Bakhmut.

Head of the mercenary group and personal friend of Putin, Yevgeny
Prigozhin, on Friday announced the openings of recruitment centers in
dozens of cities throughout Russia. The firm's methods have come under
controversy and scrutiny for the practice of recruiting from prisons,
often sending violent convicts to the front lines and in return
promising them freedom.
Outside PMC Wagner Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Via Reuters

"Recruitment centers for PMC Wagner have opened in 42 Russian cities,"
Prigozhin announced. He described that sports centers and martial arts
clubs in particular will serve as fresh recruiting grounds.

"Despite the colossal resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces, we
will move forward," the 61-year-old said. Prigozhin continued
referencing rising tensions with the defense ministry: "Despite the
spanners that they are throwing in the works at every turn, we will
overcome this together," he said.

Internal military tensions were highest following the Russian victory
over Soledar, given Wagner was the first to claim victory, but without
acknowledging the role of the regular army. This led to unprecedented
public criticism of Wagner, which is viewed by Russian commanders as
increasingly going rogue and being uncooperative, as well as not
'playing by the rules'.

Prigozhin also within the last month lashed out at the military for
not sharing ammunition even as Wagner fighters are often spearheading
vital operations. After the dispute rose to the level of international
media attention, it appears the Kremlin is officially distancing
itself:

    Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group of Russian
mercenaries, on Thursday said he has been cut off from all Russian
government communication channels.

    In a message posted on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin claimed he
had been blocked by the Kremlin due to his public appeals for his
Wagner troops to be provided with more ammunition.

Newsweek notes his words as follows: "In order to stop me from asking
for ammunition, they turned off all special [government] phone lines
in all of the offices and [Wagner] units ... and blocked all [my]
passes to the agencies responsible for making decisions."

    Wagner filmed a destroyed American M-113 from the 93rd UKR
mechanized brigade. It appears some of those riding inside did not
meet a good ending. pic.twitter.com/AhQctcyvJA
    — Koba (@Roberto05246129) March 10, 2023

But the angry back-and-forth between Wagner and military officials is
unlikely to let up anytime soon, given Prigozhin previewed his next
actions: "Now I can only ask [for more supplies] through the media
and... most likely will be doing just that."