Head of Russian private army Wagner says his forces are handing control of Bakhmut to Moscow

And Moscow will be handing it over to Ukraine afterwards.

Prigozhin said his troops would now rest in camps, repair equipment and await further orders.

Where next, (perhaps the middle east, somewhere in Africa, maybe in South America, will the warmongering Kremlin send their baby killing butchers, most likely to an area with natural resources Russia's ruling caste want to take for themselves in their attempts to further expand territory and control global resource markets.

The Battle of Bakhmut (Artemovsk) is over. The road to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk is now open.

Summer will see battles for these areas.

The Battle of Bakhmut is over

Ha ! thats been said before in other parts of Ukraine, only for the Ukrainian army to reclaim them.

Summer will see battles for these areas.

I doubt it, but you never know. If Russia does indeed make it to this next defensive line, they will wish they hadn't.

The Battle of Bakhmut (Artemovsk) is over. The road to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk is now open.

It is no such thing. They can't even shoot a video in Bakhmut without gunfire in the background.

Yevgeny Prigozhin Is quoted as saying “Well, can’t hang around here all day. I’ve got murderers to recruit, women to rape, children to murder and African mineral resources to plunder. I really must be going now.”

A private military company took on a NATO supported and trained army and won a decisive victory.

That must hurt in the Pentagon.

A private military company took on a NATO supported and trained army and won a decisive victory.

That must hurt in the Pentagon.

Not as much as the country that allegedly had air superiority, modern weapons, and decades of artillery shells stockpiled.

Alternative opinion...

sad that 20k plus Wagner fighters were sacrificed for the glory of a couple of old men. Guaranteed the Ukrainian losses are far less.

Prigozhin's presentation on the full battle of Bakhmut had the following figures in English and Russian.

Ukrainian casualties 100,000

Ukrainian deaths 50,000

Russian casualties 20,000

Russian deaths -----

No figure was given for Russian deaths, probably because this is a state secret. The Ukraine does not report its dead. Take these figures with a huge pinch of salt. But the western press know that Prigozhin DID NOT state that 20,000 of his fighters died. They are deliberately misleading.

A private military company took on a NATO supported and trained army and won a decisive victory.

That must hurt in the Pentagon.

total disregard for the truth does you no good around here.

A private military company took on a NATO supported and trained army and won a decisive victory.

A private military company trained & supported by Russia, backed up by a superior number of artillery, took on a NATO supported and trained army and won a decisive victory, which took ten months & cost them 20,000 dead & 80,000 injured.

Even the Wagner boss said it hurt

Russian casualties 20,000

Everything including Al Jazeera is reporting 20,000 dead from Prigozhin's interview. You might as well stop posting your inflated Ukrainian figures as Ukraine will fight to the last man to expel the terrorist.

yeah you would have to control something to hand it over to someone else.

"Head of Russian private army Wagner says his forces are handing control of Bakhmut to Moscow"

yeah you would have to control something to hand it over to someone else.

Russians are capable of retreating under fire.

@kipling

from Aljazeera ;

Some 20,000 troops from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group were killed in the months-long battle for control of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, its founder has said.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had recruited about 50,000 prisoners to fight with Wagner in Russia’s war in Ukraine and that about 20 percent of them had been killed.

A similar number of his contract soldiers had also perished in the battle for the city, he told Russian political strategist Konstantin Dolgov in a video interview posted on his Telegram channel on Wednesday.

Russians are capable of retreating under fire.

as is anyone, super generic statement.

But are they being shot at and are they retreating?

I see no evidence of that. I just see a handover of something that is under control.

yeah you would have to control something to hand it over to someone else.

Or you could just lie about turning it over? Really weird to take Prigozhin's word at face value.

which is taking a hard earned 1 month R&R break from their current world tour, which is scheduled to recommence on June 1st

Two things. One, yes we know... it's a "world tour", if they can topple Ukraine they don't want to stop there. Two, it's almost the end of May. A scheduled restart on the 1st of June doesn't add up to one month... and no, they never finished their destruction at the beginning of May.

A third thing. Comparing them to actual musicians, that's just moronic.

 Really weird to take Prigozhin's word at face value.

To wit, the word of an ex-con, and a Russian fascist to boot. What comes next after Bakhmut? The Russians don't appear to be in any position to take strategic advantage of their Pyrrhic victory to press further forward into Ukrainian-held territory. More blood will be spilled as spring offensives start. The Russians will soon get tired of winning and, let's hope, of their megalomaniac midget "Fuehrer", too)

The Marketing Director of the Wagner mercenary company gave this informative summary of its successful operation to take the city of Bakhmut from the occupying Ukro-NATO forces:

We fought in Bakhmut against superior forces, destroyed about 50,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces and wounded up to 70,000

PMC “Wagner” had 3.2 times fewer dead than the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and about 2 times fewer wounded.

The PMC in Artyomovsk had 50,000 people at its best, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine – 82,000, and the ratio for the assault should be 3 to 1 for the attackers.

During the operation, we took 50,000 prisoners, 20% of them died, another 20% were injured.

The goal of Artemovsk was not Artemovsk itself, but the Bakhmut Meat Grinder. And in Artemovsk, we destroyed everyone we were supposed to destroy, we completed the task.

From this, we can glean a few useful observations. First, the Russians aren’t even using their military to accomplish their goals. Except for the initial attempt on Kiev, it appears their regular Army hasn’t suffered any significant losses at all. To date, they’ve primarily utilized convicts, Chechens, and ex-Ukrainian militia, and that has sufficed to devastate the Ukro-NATO forces.

Second, the Ukro-NATO military has been severely degraded. There is no way an outnumbered attacker should be able to drive a first-class military from prepared defenses, let alone in an urban environment. Wagner had one-fifth the number of troops the military textbooks say it required to take the city. Since it is not credible to suggest that a mercenary company consisting of convicts is a first-class organization, this suggests that the UFA forces are operating at a level more or less comparable to the Arab armies of the 1960s. This is not surprising, as conscript armies tend to be low-performance and low-morale.

Third, the Russian focus is on the enemy forces, not on the terrain. This is consistent with what Marshal Zhukov records in his memoirs of the Russian civil war and World War II. Consider the way in which Zhukov didn’t hesitate to advocate the early abandonment of Kiev in order to preserve its defenders, whereas Zaluzhnyi, like Hitler, refused to countenance the retreat from even a small, strategically meaningless city in order to conserve tens of thousands of soldiers.

Fourth, the real war hasn’t even started yet. The battle for the Donbass is little more than the opening skirmish in a much larger war between Clown World and the sovereign nations.

Fourth, the real war hasn’t even started yet. The battle for the Donbass is little more than the opening skirmish in a much larger war between Clown World and the sovereign nations.

Ego Sum Lux Mundi - Is the real war when Russia finally sweeps across Europe to Portugal like you predicted back in Feb 2022?

Sorry, I just rewatched Prigozhin's last posted video (25th at 5am) and he states the Musicians will complete the withdrawal by June 1st, with a one-month break.

The next concert is around early July.

The battle for the Donbass is little more than the opening skirmish in a much larger war between Clown World and the sovereign nations.

And ringmaster Putin certainly has a lot of clowns performing illusions for his audience at home.

First, the Russians aren’t even using their military to accomplish their goals

obviously you slept through a lot of this conflict, where Russia's elite paratroopers were wiped out in their initial attempt to take Kiev. And you may have missed the Russian army’s panicky withdrawal from Kherson & Kharkiv.

Second, the Ukro-NATO military has been severely degraded. 

and you believe this because a habitual lying war criminal said so ?

conscript armies tend to be low-performance and low-morale.

that is why Russia's conscripts are performing so badly - those that haven’t escaped Russia or surrendered.

Ukraines armed forces are highly motivated - they are fighting for their freedom. What are the Russians fighting for ?

Third, the Russian focus is on the enemy forces, not on the terrain. This is consistent with what Marshal Zhukov records in his memoirs

you’re living in the past - same as Putin

Ukraine military places more value on the lives of their soldiers than Russia does.

Fourth, the real war hasn’t even started yet.

Bahaha ! What’s this last 15 months been - foreplay ?

Oh, Yevgeny Prigozhin - again words of encourgement, promises made which you can't keep?

Wagnerites got their arses kicked - now the next ones are getting ready for their body-bags.

In addition, 2 more Russian fighter jets grounded for good, Russian losses as for now 205.000!

Ukraine prevails!

Once upon a time, in a world known as Clown World, there existed a charismatic and enigmatic figure named Ringmaster Putin. With his cunning ways and captivating presence, he gathered a troupe of loyal followers, each donning brightly colored costumes and big red noses. They were clowns of all kinds, ready to spread chaos and disorder wherever they went.

Ringmaster Putin had a grand vision—to take over the world and turn it into a never-ending circus, where chaos reigned supreme. He believed that laughter and confusion were the ultimate weapons to control the masses. So, with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eyes, he set forth his plan.

The clowns began their journey, leaving behind a trail of perplexed onlookers. They disrupted traffic with their unicycle races, juggled chaos in crowded marketplaces, and unleashed anarchy with their squirting flower boutonnieres. Ringmaster Putin relished in the madness, convinced that his army of clowns would be unstoppable.

However, as time went on, the world started to see through the act. People grew tired of the chaos and yearned for stability. They saw the true colors beneath the painted faces, recognizing the deceit and manipulation behind the laughter. The world united in its resistance against Ringmaster Putin and his clownish regime.

Leaders from different nations came together, determined to prevent Clown World from becoming a reality. They devised strategies to counter the clowns’ antics, exposing their tricks and illusions for what they truly were. The world was no longer entertained by the spectacle; instead, it craved truth, justice, and order.

Ringmaster Putin, once the center of attention, found himself isolated. His clowns became a mere sideshow, losing the support they once enjoyed. The world stood strong against their antics, determined not to let the chaos prevail.

In a grand showdown, the leaders of the world confronted Ringmaster Putin. They unveiled the truth behind his grand plans, revealing the vulnerabilities and weaknesses that lay beneath his charismatic facade. The clowns, once blindly devoted, began to question their allegiance.

As the battle raged on, the clowns gradually abandoned their painted faces and red noses, realizing the harm they had caused. They rejected the chaos they had once embraced, seeking redemption for their past actions.

In the end, Ringmaster Putin’s dream of dominating the world with chaos and confusion crumbled. His clowns, once blindly loyal, turned against him, choosing instead to rebuild a world grounded in truth and stability.

From that day forward, Clown World began to heal. The laughter that once bred chaos transformed into joy and unity. People remembered the lessons learned during the reign of Ringmaster Putin and pledged to cherish honesty, fairness, and harmony.

And so, the tale of Ringmaster Putin serves as a reminder that even the most captivating illusions will eventually be exposed. The world, united in its pursuit of justice and order, prevailed over chaos, ensuring that the clowns’ destruction would ultimately lead to a brighter future for all.

Wagner is a private military company operating not only in Russian-held territories in Ukraine but in many other parts of the world. The company is owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who recruits personnel even from among criminals and felons.　Privatization of a war machine, which ordinarily is a state’s sole prerogative, is strange and unusual.

If the story that Wagner lost more than 20,000 of its troops in the drawn-out battle for Bakhmut was true, the company would certainly be unable to survive. So is Prigozhin asking Putin, his close associate, for help?

The Wagner group is nothing more than a band of mercenaries. There is nothing military about them.

Ego Sum Lux MundiToday 09:41 am JST

We fought in Bakhmut against superior forces, destroyed about 50,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces and wounded up to 70,000

Well I'm not going to argue that Ukrainian soldiers aren't superior, but that isn't saying much in comparison to Russian conscripts.

During the operation, we took 50,000 prisoners, 20% of them died, another 20% were injured.

So only 40% warcrimes this time?

From this, we can glean a few useful observations. First, the Russians aren’t even using their military to accomplish their goals. Except for the initial attempt on Kiev, it appears their regular Army hasn’t suffered any significant losses at all.

The absolute state of arguing that losses have been much lower since that really big loss in the beginning.

Second, the Ukro-NATO military has been severely degraded. There is no way an outnumbered attacker should be able to drive a first-class military from prepared defenses, let alone in an urban environment. Wagner had one-fifth the number of troops the military textbooks say it required to take the city. Since it is not credible to suggest that a mercenary company consisting of convicts is a first-class organization, this suggests that the UFA forces are operating at a level more or less comparable to the Arab armies of the 1960s. This is not surprising, as conscript armies tend to be low-performance and low-morale.

Imagine losing to a country #40 in military expenditure before the war. And with "air superiority".

Third, the Russian focus is on the enemy forces, not on the terrain. This is consistent with what Marshal Zhukov records in his memoirs of the Russian civil war and World War II. Consider the way in which Zhukov didn’t hesitate to advocate the early abandonment of Kiev in order to preserve its defenders, whereas Zaluzhnyi, like Hitler, refused to countenance the retreat from even a small, strategically meaningless city in order to conserve tens of thousands of soldiers.

What is Russia even doing then? Imagine believing you can kill your way to victory against an entire population that wants to see you out.

Fourth, the real war hasn’t even started yet. The battle for the Donbass is little more than the opening skirmish in a much larger war between Clown World and the sovereign nations.

A skirmish for 13 months? What is this mythical Russian army waiting for? An invitation? Why weren't they there to prevent their humiliating defeat at Kiev?

TaiwanisChina...

Everything including Al Jazeera is reporting 20,000 dead from Prigozhin's interview.

Exactly... They are all reporting this.... But just watch it yourself, he even has an English slide on his power point. He did not give a figure for deaths. Go watch the video.... see for yourself.

Wallace...

The Wagner group is nothing more than a band of mercenaries. There is nothing military about them.

Not exactly. They started as a way for the Russians to send their military to the Donbas after 2014, to support the separatists. They consist of mainly ex Russian military, especially from special forces and premier units. Not unlike Blackwater etc. Also current serving members "dip in" when specialized needs are needed, then return to their Russia army units. The much publicized recruitment from prisons netted around 5,000 "volunteers" all of whom had to have previous military experience. They are a well organized, well funded and resourced military unit, far from a rag tag bunch of dare devils.

The Russian way to wage war? Totally destroy that which you want to conquer. Bakhmut no longer exists. There is only the place where it used to exist.

The Ukrainian way to wage war? Make the Russians pay dearly for every foot of land given up, until the Russians can no longer afford to wage war.

 But just watch it yourself, he even has an English slide on his power point. He did not give a figure for deaths. Go watch the video.... see for yourself.

He’s embarrassed by it then. Must be worse than what you think.

@kipling

The much publicized recruitment from prisons netted around 5,000 "volunteers" all of whom had to have previous military experience

not sure where you get your info from, but

Prigozhin himself stated he recruited 50,000 prison inmates, & lost 20% of them.

Most had no previous military experience.

But just watch it yourself, he even has an English slide on his power point. He did not give a figure for deaths. Go watch the video.... see for yourself

He probably doesn't want potential recruits to learn the true survival/death rate.

But as long as he can recruit new people I don't think it matters much to him how many were killed.

Or maybe it matters because he won't need to pay them anymore.

And if many of those killed were indeed hardened convicts maybe he'll care even less