Russia is preparing to send more Chechen fighters and convicts to Ukraine to fill holes left by Wagner mercenaries that were pulled from the battlefield, European intelligence officials believe.
With Ukraine reporting its counteroffensive advancing toward the eastern city of Bakhmut, Russian units risk being overstretched, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. Russia deployed large numbers of troops to Bakhmut after Wagner announced its withdrawal from the city in late May, leaving shortages in occupied areas of southern Ukraine, the officials said.
The insurrection by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin that spiraled into the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin’s 24-year rule has deprived Russian forces of some of their most battle-hardened troops in Ukraine. The Defense Ministry in Moscow has given no indication so far of how many mercenaries signed contracts to join the military by a July 1 deadline. Prigozhin accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of attempting to “destroy” Wagner with the demand.
