U.S. thinks Putin ally Prigozhin wants control of salt, gypsum from mines near Bakhmut

A destroyed house is seen, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Kudriavtseva

The United States is of the view that Russian President Vladimir Putin's ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the founder of Russia's most powerful mercenary group, is interested in taking control of salt and gypsum from mines near the Ukrainian-held city of Bakhmut, a White House official said on Thursday.

There are indications that monetary motives are driving Russia's and Prigozhin's "obsession" with Bakhmut, the official added. Prigozhin is the owner of private Russian military company Wagner Group.

FILE PHOTO: A man wearing a camouflage uniform walks out of PMC Wagner Centre, which is a project implemented by the businessman and founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block in Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 4, 2022. REUTERS/Igor Russak

(Reporting by Steve Holland; writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Leslie Adler)