And this is a special move, says De Wijk. “Prigozhin basically says that he can make huge advances in all directions if he has only 200,000 men at his disposal,” says De Wijk. “He spatially admits that some 20,000 were killed and many captured, but he still says he will continue with his ‘best army in the world’.”
“Prigozhin says he can score huge victories in all directions with 200,000 men”
However, De Wijk points out that Prigozhin trivializes numbers; as far more troops died on Wagner’s side than the 20,000 claimed. According to De Wijk it can be assumed more than one and a half times, while the American secret services even speak of 40,000 killed, adds Arend Jan Boekestijn. “They are totally exhausted, but also decimated.”
Challenge
De Wijk calls Prigozhin’s attitude fascinating. Especially as he consolidates his position as a challenger to the Kremlin. “No wonder there’s so much attention for this man,” he says. “I think they are scratching their heads in the Kremlin about what is happening here. He has already carried out the frontal attack on Defense Minister Shoygu, Commander Gerasimov and even Putin.’
According to De Wijk, there are rumors in Russia that Prigozhin is maneuvering to become the new president of Russia. “He IS a blower, but a very competent blower.”