Internal Russian rift widens Bakhmut

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Ukrainian servicemen said on social media video they are holding positions in war-battered Bakhmut waiting for Russians to “shoot each other” as the war of words between the Russian Defense Ministry and a Russian mercenary leader intensifies, a think tank reports.

The assessment from the Institute for the Study of War said Russian military leadership may be allowing the mercenary Wagner Group to take high casualties in Bakhmut to erode its leader’s leverage while preserving Russian army troops.

Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin, a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has publicly complained that the Defense Ministry has been increasingly restricting his ability to recruit convicts and secure ammunition. Plus, the assessment says Prigozhin likely anticipated that Ukrainian forces would withdraw from Bakhmut. Instead, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doubled down, rejecting suggestions that his military strategically allow the city fall.

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“Putin and the Russian MoD may use Prigozhin as a scapegoat for the costly drive on Bakhmut once the offensive culminates,” the assessment says.

INFIGHTING:Wagner mercenaries struggle in Bakhmut: Ukraine updates

Developing:

►Russia’s Duma legislature is considering a plan to raise the military draft ages to 21-30 from 18-27 over the next three years. Enlistment would remain legal for those 18 who still want to enlist

►U.N. officials in Geneva were scheduled to hold talks with Russia representatives over a plan to extend an agreement that allows Ukraine grain shipments safe passage through a Russian blockade.

Xi, Zelenskyy reportedly to meet virtually

Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to speak virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since the start of the war, likely after he visits Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people the publication said were familiar with the matter.

The visit and virtual chat reflect Beijing’s effort to play a more active role in mediating an end to the war, the Journal reported.

Putin and Xi have appeared to grow closer in the year since the war began, although China has dismissed as untrue reports in the U.S. that Xi’s government is considering supplying Russia with badly needed arms for its war in Ukraine.

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Internal Russian rift widens Bakhmut

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