Wagner’s Prigozhin Disputes Report That He Offered to Betray Russia

The head of Wagner’s private military group on Monday denied reports that he had offered to share with Ukraine the positions of Russian Army troops around Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, in exchange for the withdrawal of Kyiv forces from the area.

Wagner’s group has been the driving force behind Russia’s month-long war to take Bakhmut, which has claimed thousands of lives on both sides and reduced many cities to rubble. Its founder, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, has publicly clashed with Russian military leaders over the battle for the city, accusing them of starving the troops of ammunition.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that US intelligence documents leaked on the Discord messaging platform said that Mr Prigozhin had told contacts in Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate that he was willing to betray Russian Army locations around Bakhmut if Kyiv agreed to withdraw from the city. . Ukrainian officials told The Post that Mr Prigozhin’s offer – made “more than once” – was rejected.

In an audio statement published Monday by the press service, Mr. Prigozhin called the report “speculation” and a “hoax.” He suggested that corrupt Russian elites, who he said were jealous of the achievements of frontline fighters in Ukraine and wanted to tarnish their reputations, could be responsible.

Mr. Prigozhin’s mercenaries have led the attempt to retake Bakhmut, the longest and one of the bloodiest battles, while Russian troops have taken control of the area around the city. In recent weeks, Mr. Prigozhin has leveled accusations of incompetence against Russia’s military leadership.

Despite openly feuding with high-ranking Russian officials, Mr. Prigozhin has been careful not to criticize President Vladimir V. Putin.

Dmitri S. Peskov, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, said he would not comment on The Post’s report, but said it “looks like another hoax.”

Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence service, would not comment on The Post’s report, but said on national television Monday that Ukraine should “discuss such matters when necessary and in line with Ukraine’s national interests.”