Prigozhin is likely trying to ‘burnish’ his credibility – British intelligence

02.11.2022 11:16

Ukrinform

The owner of the Russian Wagner Group private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been more explicit in his public statements, trying to “burnish” his credibility within the stressed Russian national security system.

According to Ukrinform, the UK Ministry of Defense said this in its latest intelligence update published on Twitter.

“In the last two months, Prigozhin has abandoned any pretence that he is not associated with Wagner and has been more explicit in his public statements. He is likely trying to burnish his credibility within the stressed Russian national security system,” the ministry said.

It is noted that Prigozhin on October 23 stated that Wagner forces were making advances of 100-200m per day, which he claimed was ‘normal in modern warfare’.

“According to their military doctrine, Russian forces plan to advance 30km or more per day in most conditions. In February, Russian forces planned to make a 1000km advance through Ukraine within a month,” the ministry said.

The ministry also stressed that in September, Ukrainian forces achieved advances of over 20 km per day.

As Ukrinform reported, British intelligence believes that some of the convicts who were recruited into the Wagner Group private military company will initially be involved in the construction of the defensive "Wagner Line" in the east of Ukraine.