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Ukraine war in Newsblog | Wagner boss: “Monstrous bureaucracy” responsible for tough fights

Wagner boss: “Monstrous bureaucracy” responsible for tough fights

Von t-online, afp, dpa, Reuters

Updated on 02/16/2023 – 15:47Reading time: 37 min.

In conversation: In this video interview, Wagner boss Prigozhin criticizes the military leadership. (What: t-online)
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Day 358 since the beginning of the war: mercenary boss Prigozhin strongly criticizes Russia’s military leadership. Intelligence officials assume that Russia has hardly any soldiers in reserve. All information in the news blog.

The most important things at a glance


Makeiev: Don’t understand the discussion about possible escalation

3:15 p.m.: Is everything good between Scholz and Selenskyj after the Panzerwende? In an interview with t-online, the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeiev explains why Germany should become the leading military power in Europe. Here you can read more about it.

The Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, during the t-online interview.The Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, during the t-online interview.
The Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, during the t-online interview. (Quelle: Hans-Christian Plambeck)

Reports: Putin is said to travel in an armored train on a secret rail network

European Parliament: EU countries should examine fighter jets for Ukraine

3:03 p.m.: The European Parliament has urged EU countries to seriously consider supplying fighter jets to Ukraine. “Ukraine must not only be able to defend itself, but also regain full control over all of its internationally recognized territory,” reads a resolution passed in Strasbourg on Thursday.

In addition, serious considerations are needed about the delivery of helicopters, missile systems and more ammunition. The Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country will enter its second year next week.

Stoltenberg: “Many, many, many, many years” of war

2.45 p.m.: Ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has dampened hopes of an early peace. He expects a “protracted” war that “can last many, many, many, many years,” Stoltenberg told the AFP news agency. The allies must “ensure that Ukraine wins the war and provide it with the weapons and ammunition it needs.”

“If President (Vladimir) Putin wins in Ukraine, it would be a tragedy for Ukrainians,” Stoltenberg said. “But it would also be dangerous for all of us. Because then the message to him and other authoritarian leaders is that they can achieve their goals if they use military force. And then the world will become even more dangerous and we will be even more vulnerable,” he warned .

Wagner boss: “Monstrous military bureaucracy” responsible for tough fighting

2:42 p.m.: The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, assumes that the city of Bakhmut, which has been fiercely fought over for months, will not be conquered until “March or April” – and blames the “monstrous military bureaucracy” in Russia for the slow progress. “I think it will be in March or April,” said Prigozhin in videos published on Thursday night. Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko said his country would join Russia’s offensive only in the event of a Ukrainian attack.

“In order to take Bakhmut, all supply routes must be cut off,” said Prigozhin in one of the videos published in the online service Telegram. “I think we would have taken Bakhmut before the New Year if it weren’t for this monstrous military bureaucracy and if there weren’t obstacles thrown at us every day,” Prigozhin said in another video.

The bitter fighting for the eastern industrial city is now the longest-lasting fighting since the start of the Russian offensive almost a year ago. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the Donetsk region, in which Bakhmut is located, to be annexed. However, Ukrainian armed forces continue to defend the city with great commitment.

Yevgeny Prigozhin: The Wagner boss blames bureaucracy for slow progress.Yevgeny Prigozhin: The Wagner boss blames bureaucracy for slow progress.
Yevgeny Prigozhin: The Wagner boss blames bureaucracy for slow progress. (Quelle: ITAR-TASS/imago images)

Most of the Ukrainian refugees live in private apartments

2:12 p.m.: Most of the Ukrainians who fled to Germany live in private apartments. According to a survey, almost three quarters (74 percent) of the refugees moved into private apartments immediately after their arrival, more than half live alone or with family members who have fled.