Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner’s paramilitary organization, which has often clashed with Russia’s military leadership, appears to have added to the row by accusing pro-Moscow forces of trying to blow up his men, Sky News reported.

Prigozhin’s fighters took control of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in May after months of bloody fighting and have since surrendered their positions to Russian regular forces.

In a Telegram message today, the mercenary chief said his troops had found a dozen buildings where Ministry of Defense officials had planted explosives, including anti-tank mines.

Officials reportedly said orders to install the devices came from their superiors.

Prigozhin stated that this step was not “necessary to deter the enemy” because it was about the “rear”.

“It can therefore be assumed that these charges were intended to meet Wagner’s advancing units,” he said.

No charges were filed and no one was injured, Leader Wagner said, adding, “We believe this was an attempt at public punishment.”

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation does not comment on the accusations of the leader of the mercenaries.

“Clowns who lead the Russian army”

Prigozhin recently said that his mercenaries would continue to fight in Ukraine if his men were given a separate section of the front without having to depend on the “clowns” who run the Russian armed forces, according to Reuters.

“If the entire chain (of command) is 100% failed and is run only by clowns who turn people into meat, then we will not participate in it,” said Prigozhin, known for his sharp, often profanity-laced comments about the conduct of war.

“Chef Putin”, a former prisoner and hot dog seller, became famous during the 15-month war in Ukraine and constantly insulted President Vladimir Putin’s top military figures, including Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov. regarding achievements on the battlefield.

Neither Shoigu nor Gerasimov publicly responded to his insults.

Prigozhin, who joked last week that his nickname should be “Putin’s butcher” rather than “Putin’s cook,” said on Wednesday that he had asked prosecutors to investigate whether senior Russian defense officials had committed any “crimes” before or during the war in Ukraine.