Fighters of the band "Wagner" became the "disposable infantry" of the Russian offensive in the east of Ukraine. This is stated in a CNN article published on January 23.
Journalists of the TV channel refer to Ukrainian intelligence materials dated December 2022.
The intelligence report noted that the Wagnerites posed a "serious threat" at close range, even with the "crazy losses" they were suffering. As the article says, PMK mercenaries have become "disposable infantry" for Russia, and their deaths have no significance for Russian society.
The interception of telephone conversations testify to the "cruel" attitude of the command towards the soldiers of the PKK. For example, the unauthorized departure of the team is punished by shooting on the spot, the document says. Wounded Wagnerites are often left on the battlefield for several hours, CNN noted.
The infantry has no right to independently evacuate the wounded, as it has to "continue the assault". Ukrainian intelligence noted that this tactic is "the only effective one for poorly trained mobilized troops."
For the first wave of attacks, the PKK command often uses recruited convicts, the material says. They suffer the greatest losses - up to 80%. They are followed by more experienced fighters with thermal imagers and night vision devices.
If Wagner's forces manage to take a position, artillery support allows them to dig trenches and consolidate their gains, but these trenches are very vulnerable to attacks in open terrain. At the same time, intelligence noted that there is often a lack of coordination between the militants and the Russian military.
The founder of the "Wagner" PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has repeatedly stated that his fighters are responsible for the fighting around the city of Soledar, Donetsk region, CNN noted. As the TV channel emphasized, the actions surrounding Soledar are Prigozhin's way to more resources. In addition, the battles for Soledar play an important role in his "ongoing battle with the Russian military leadership."
Since the end of December, Russian troops have been trying to capture Soledar. On January 9, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that the occupiers had changed their tactics and launched a powerful assault.
On January 10, the occupiers announced the capture of Soledar, but the Armed Forces denied this information. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intense fighting has been going on in recent days.
In addition to the regular army, private military companies are fighting on the side of Russia in the war against Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk region. The most famous among them is the "Wagner" PVC, whose ranks include mercenaries and prisoners recruited from prisons.
According to the White House, at the end of December 2022, the forces of the "Wagner" PMK sent to Ukraine amounted to 50,000 mercenaries, of which 10,000 were contract workers, and another 40,000 were recruited prisoners.
Only 10,000 of the 50,000 Russian prisoners recruited by the "Wagner" PMC to participate in the war in Ukraine remained. The others either died or deserted, said Olga Romanova, head of the "Sitting Rus'" charitable foundation, on January 21.