Competition between Russian private military companies is growing in Bakhmut – ISW
Competition between Russian private military companies (PMCs) in Bakhmut, Donetsk region is likely to increase.
This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts cite a situation where, in a video message to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Potok fighters (reportedly one of three volunteer units of the Russian state energy company Gazprom) claim that Gazprom officials told Potok members that they would sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, but then they were forced to sign contracts with PMC Redut.
One of the Potok fighters claimed that Gazprom created two more units – Torch and Flame, which were subordinated to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Potok fighters also reported ill-treatment by Wagner’s PMC mercenaries, who threatened to shoot Potok soldiers if they moved away from the contact line.
In addition, it was reported that the Potok mercenaries had abandoned their positions in Bakhmut due to a lack of ammunition.
– The head of Wagner, Yevhen Prigozhin, probably views the increase in the number of private military companies around Bakhmut as competition, and it seems that the increased presence of other PMCs in the area of the city could lead to significant contradictions, – analysts say.
Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that the Russian advance in Bakhmut had stopped.
