War: Internal Coup Sparks Kremlin Chaos As Wagner Chief Moves To Overthrow Putin’s Close Ally

Internal Coup Sparked Kremlin Chaos as Wagner Chief Moved to Overthrow Putin’s Close Ally

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Vladimir Putin’s grasp of control in Moscow has been questioned after the leader of a Russian mercenary group fighting in Ukraine launched a move to oust Russia’s defence minister in an astonishing power grab.

 

Vladimir Putin’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu could be ousted from his post – but not in a decision led by the Russian leader, according to CNN.

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Instead, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, has launched a campaign to oust Mr Shoigu in a dramatic power-grab inside the Kremlin.

The Wagner Group is often nicknamed Vladimir Putin’s private army since Mr Prigozhin is believed to answer directly to the Russian leader.

The internal coup would be a significant sign of power from Mr Prigozhin, whose private paramilitary force has been the only Russian unit to make advances in Ukraine in recent days.

This week, Mr Prigozhin personally boasted that the Wagner forces captured Bakhmut in the east of Ukraine.

He posted on social media: “I want to emphasize that there was not a single person from any other group except for the employees of the Wanger Group involved in this campaign.”

CNN senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen said that Wagner is “now the spearhead of Putin’s invading force” in Ukraine.

He added that “people are Putin are very worried” that they could be scapegoated for the Russian leader’s decisions.

Mr Prigozhin earned the nickname “Putin’s chef” because his restaurants and catering businesses would host dinners for the Russian autocrat and foreign dignitaries.

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Meanwhile, top US officials also told CNN that the Russian military was running low on troops, tanks, weapons, and ammunitions needed to continue the war on Ukraine.

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