Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Russian president may have felt threatened by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s assertiveness in Ukraine
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
Vladimir Putin is turning away from his reliance on Wagner mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, according to military observers.
The Russian president likely intends to rely on conventional Russian forces after recently appointing a new overall commander in General Valeriy Gerasimov, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its latest update on the Ukraine conflict.
Mr Putin may have felt threatened by Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s ambition in Moscow politics and his claims of his mercenaries’ importance to the Russian campaign, the ISW said.
Mr Prigozhin put the Kremlin in an uncomfortable position earlier this month when he claimed Wagner fighters had taken the Ukrainian town of Soledar several days before Russia officially made the same claim.
Earlier, Germany’s foreign minister says Berlin “would not stand in the way” of Poland sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, on the same day as Boris Johnson made another surprise visit to Kyiv.
Vladimir Putin is turning away from his reliance on the Wagner group of mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, according to military observers.
In its latest update on the Ukraine conflict, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the Russian president likely intends to turn back to conventional Russian forces after recently appointing a new overall commander in General Valeriy Gerasimov.
Mr Gerasimov took over after a period in which Mr Putin put misguided faith in Wagner and former commander Sergei Surovikin to turn around the ailing Russian campaign.
Mr Putin may also have felt threatened by Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s ambition in Moscow politics and his assertiveness over claimed Wagner victories, the ISW said.
The Kremlin was put in an uncomfortable position earlier this month when Mr Prigozhin claimed his fighters taken the Ukrainian town of Soledar several days before Russia officially made the same claim.
One of Russia’s richest tycoons, billionaire metals executive Vladimir Potanin, has called on the authorities to tolerate Russian workers who have fled following the Ukraine war.
“People who work for our economy from abroad – remotely or otherwise – should not be punished”, Potanin told the online RBC news portal.
He also called for an end to punitive measures against workers who had fled, many of whom did so to avoid being drafted into the army or because they morally disagreed with the war.
It is estimated that Potanin is Russia’s richest or second-richest person, with his wealth derived from his stake in metals giant Nornickel.
Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Ukraine as he comes under pressure over claims that he involved the BBC chair Richard Sharp in talks that led to his securing an £800,000 line of credit while at No 10.
Former civil service chief Sir Bob Kerslake said there was “no question” that there appeared to be a conflict of interest – describing the reported involvement of Mr Sharp in the talks as an “important departure from what should really happen”.
The former prime minister was seen walking in the suburbs of Kyiv on Sunday, despite warnings from senior military figures that he should stay away and stop “looking for publicity”.
Adam Forrest reports:
Former PM had been warned to stop ‘looking for publicity’ ahead of surprise trip
The Ministry of Defence has issued an intelligence update on Ukraine.
Notably, it reports that the Russian force “continues to endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties.” Alongside Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, General Valery Gerasimov is seen as “out of touch and focused on presentation over substance.”
Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff and newly appointed commander in Ukraine, has started his tour with a drive to improve deployed troops’ day-to-day discipline, the update furthers.
Since the beginning of his command, officers have been clamping down on non-regulation uniform, travel in civilian vehicles, the use of mobile phones and non-standard haircuts. These measures have been met with sceptical feedback.
The MoD also remarks that 54% of the maximum amount of territory Russia sized since February 24 2022 has now been liberated.
It also revealed that 18% of the internationally recognised areas of Ukraine are still controlled by Russia.
In a meeting with his South African counterpart, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war, but the US and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it.
“It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation, and by the end of March the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict,” Mr Lavrov stated.
“It is well known and was published openly that our American, British and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.”
In 2022, Putin claimed that Russia was ready for talks but that Ukraine’s Western allies prevented those from happening.
Lavrov was in Pretoria for talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.
Russia is looking to strengthen its relationship with its historical ally, which is taking a neutral stance on the war in refusing to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Spokesperson for the US Department of State Ned Price has stated that an update on Germany’s supply of tanks to Ukraine is imminent, The Independent has learned.
“You can expect news in the coming days from Germany about the supply of tanks to Ukraine”, Price remarked in today’s briefing.
“So you know, we have the United States has concerns about any country, as we’ve said before, country exercising with Russia, while Russia wages a brutal war against Ukraine”, he added.
“We’ve said this before we’ve been consistent on this of course every participating country will make their own decision.”
Sean Penn‘s film about the war in Ukraine, “Superpower,” will have its world premiere at this year’s Berlin film festival, organizers said Monday.
The documentary will run outside the main competition, which features 18 movies this year including John Trengrove’s “Manodrome” with Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody.
Organizers said the Berlinale will pay special tribute this year to Ukraine and the protests in Iran.
The annual event takes place from Feb. 16-26.
Sean Penn’s film about the war in Ukraine, “Superpower,” will have its world premier at this year’s Berlin film festival
The chief of Russian paramilitary organisation Wagner has responded to comparisons made between him and Rasputin.
Referencing an article in the Financial Times which likened him to the historic Russian mystic, Yevgeny Prigozhin – the founder of Wagner – appeared to gloat about his intentions.
“I am not very familiar with the history of Rasputin, but as far as I know, an important quality of Rasputin is that he staunched the blood flow of the young prince with incantations”, Prigozhin’s press service quoted as his response.
Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and religious figure who befriended the royal family of Tsar Nicholas II, Russia’s final emperor before the dynasty was overthrown during the Russian Revolution.
He gained notable influence over the Royal Family, acting as a faith healer for Nicholas and wife Alexandra’s son, Alexei – the “young prince” referenced by Prigozhin – who suffered from haemophilia, a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.
“Unfortunately, I do not staunch blood flow. I bleed the enemies of our motherland. And not by incantations, but by direct contact with them”, Prigozhin furthered.
More here:
Yevgeny Prigozhin made the comments in response to a Financial Times article comparing him to Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin
Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war but the U.S. and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.
Lavrov’s remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was for talks but Ukraine’s Western allies prevented that from happening.
The U.S. and other Western nations have said that Russia is not serious about negotiations to end the war, set to mark its one-year anniversary next month.
“It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict,” Lavrov said.
“It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.”
Mogomotsi Magome reports:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war but the United States and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it
Security for Boris Johnson’s surprise visit to Ukraine at the weekend was funded by taxpayers’, Downing Street has said.
The former prime minister, facing fresh questions over his personal finances, said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had invited him to travel to Kyiv once again.
No 10 said Rishi Sunak was “supportive” of Mr Johnson’s trip, after warnings from military figures that the former PM should not be “looking for publicity” and could undermine the PM’s authority.
Mr Sunak’s official spokesman confirmed the government paid for Mr Johnson’s security as he visited some of the warn-torn suburbs around capital Kyiv on Sunday.
“The costs of providing necessary protection for former prime ministers are paid for by the government. Beyond that I would not get into it,” said the No 10 spokesman.
Mr Johnson’s spokesperson said on Sunday that could not get into specifics “for security reasons” when asked who was stumping up for his trip.
Adam Forrest has more:
PM’s protection for surprise visit covered by government
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
AFP/Getty
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?
Hi {{indy.fullName}}