Dispute between Russia’s two most powerful warlords following paramilitary group’s withdrawal Wagner from the city of Bahamut, discovers tremors in the “fighting machine” of the president. Vladimir Putin.

For the first time, Kadyrov publicly criticizes the founder of Wagner, who has become one of the Kremlin’s biggest problems. Prigozhin, who rose to prominence in recent months as his troops fought in the eastern town of Bakhmut on Moscow’s side, has been publicly blaming Russia’s defense ministry for months now.

As Wagner fighters withdrew from the city to be replaced by Kadyrov’s forces, Prigozhin downplayed the ability of Chechen forces to take over the entire Donetsk region of Ukraine. Russia claims the entire region, which it calls the Donetsk People’s Republic, but still does not have full control.

His comments drew backlash from Kadyrov’s supporters, including his ally Adam Delimkhanov, who threatened Prigozhin. Another Kadyrovite, Magomed Daudov, said that Prigozhin was sowing panic.

The introduction of Kadyrov’s troops, officially part of the national army (but subordinate to him), could undermine Prigozhin’s position at a time when he is enjoying a “wave” of support for his criticism of his Defense Ministry leadership.

Analysts believe Moscow is trying to create a rift between the two men in response to Prigozhin’s attempt to “blackmail” Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. Recall that on May 6, Kadyrov announced that his troops would “replace” Wagner’s forces, and even directly asked Putin to allow the transfer of Chechen troops from other fronts to Bakhmut.

Putin may have perceived Kadyrov’s behavior as a threat, given that Kadyrov and Prigozhin launched a successful joint campaign in early October 2022 to facilitate a change in military command.

Kadyrov, who became the leader of Chechnya in 2007, is completely dependent on Putin. The public controversy gives him the opportunity to proclaim himself “loyal to the president,” a term he regularly uses to describe himself. Although Chechen fighters fought against Moscow for independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kadyrov and his father later allied themselves with the Kremlin.

Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin, who fought against Kadyrov in the first Chechen war, spoke out on this matter. “We are always ready to meet like a man with a man, as we know each other already from the first and second Chechen wars,” he wrote on Telegram.

According to the Wall Street Journal