Vladimir Putin: Russian president's propaganda mocked by Wagner chief in new interview

Since he invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has continuously used propaganda to show his country's supposed successes. But the chief of the Wagner group doesn't appear to be on the same page.

Vladimir Putin was mocked by private militia chief Yevgeny Prigozhin
© Contributor / Getty Images
Vladimir Putin was mocked by private militia chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

The war in Ukraine has been a very bloody war since the beginning, but it is also a war based on communication. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Putin's government has shown the same images of alleged victories again and again. However, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group called Wagner, has advised the public to be careful with what they see and believe.

Discover our latest podcast

Several sources have already suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using propaganda to show his military action in Ukraine as more successful than it actually is. Currently, the Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed another success. It argues that the Russian military has killed over 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers in two days. But the Wagner chief has urged the public to question this statement, as he says it is 'absurd science-fiction', according to the Daily Mail.

Yevgeny Prigozhin publicly accuses Putin of lying

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 100 tanks and other vehicles were destroyed and 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in only two days. In an interview published on his Telegram channel, Yevgeny Prigozhin strongly condemns this report, calling it 'wild and absurd science-fiction'.

According to his calculations, the Russian military would have had to seize 150 kilometers of territory every day to achieve this type of 'success'. The Wagner chief said the Russian government's goal is to highlight the good progress made by their military and to 'pretend everything is fine', but this is all pointless, according to him. He argues this strategy will only end in more defeats for the Russian army.

Read more:Vladimir Putin allegedly feuding with close ally and sources reveal he could soon be 'eliminated'

Wagner chief has been criticizing the Russian army for a while

This is not the first time that the Wagner chief has openly criticized Putin's army. As German media Merkur reports, Prigozhin has long criticized the Russian military and defence chief Sergei Shoigu for unnecessary bureaucracy as well as corruption.

Following a withdrawal of his troops, he has also announced that his private militia will only continue fighting for Russia in Ukraine if it is separate from the Russian army, which he describes as 'clowns who turn people into meat', according to the Daily Mail.

Read more:Vladimir Putin could be losing close military ally in Russia as alleged feud escalates

This article has been translated from Gentside DE.

Sources used:

Daily Mail: Wagner chief slams Russian claims of huge losses inflicted on Ukraine as 'absurd science fiction'

Daily Mail: Wagner chief says his mercenaries will only fight on in Ukraine if they are separate from the Russian army 'clowns who turn people into meat'

Merkur: „Von Clowns geführt“ – Prigoschin spottet gegen Putins Armee

Vladimir Putin: Russian President seems to have changed his mind in new baffling statement Vladimir Putin: Russian President seems to have changed his mind in new baffling statement