Wagner, the leader of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, has reversed his decision to withdraw from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut after pledges from Russian military officials to provide more ammunition and operational freedom. The group had sustained tens of thousands of casualties in their campaign in Ukraine.
On Sunday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s founder and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced that the Defense Ministry had pledged to supply Wagner with all arms and ammunition necessary for them to continue their operations in Bakhmut. This comes after a series of drone attacks on Russian soil this week which have put Kremlin on the back foot ahead of what Western analysts say is an imminent Ukrainian offensive.
Meanwhile, Russia continued rocket strikes against Ukraine into Sunday with six people killed as a result of missile attacks on Saturday and into Sunday. The UN's atomic watchdog has expressed growing concerns about the safety Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as evacuations increase in the region.
Six state emergency workers were killed Saturday during a Russian attack while they were clearing mines in Kherson region. In response to these events, head of Wagner mercenary group threatened earlier withdrawal from Bakhmut accusing ministry failing to supply sufficient ammunition.
Russian officials in occupied regions southeast Ukraine are stepping up civilian evacuations ahead expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. Civilians are also being evacuated Enerhodar area and Berdyansk Prymorsk Azov Sea coast regions.
In light recent developments agreements made between Defense Ministry Prigozhin troops no longer planning withdraw east Ukraine after promised artillery shells needed overcome previous rifts with military chiefs issued expletive-ridden message accusing deliberate deprivation threatening pull out May 10th audio posted Telegram Prigsozhin said crucial supplies provided ensured continuation support operations carried by mercenaries
The Wagner Group has become major power player war scoring publicized wins Ukraine Russia's invasion floundering previously appealed President Vladimir Putin intervene assist efforts bring successful resolution conflict