The shortage of fighters ranks of ex-prisoners seems to be facing Wagner Groupaccording to the Ukrainian army, private company she was forced to turn to her professional soldiers in the Battle of Bahamut.

This statement suggests that Ukraine, while insisting that it will continue to defend Bakhmut, may see an opportunity to stay there long enough to seriously damage Wagner, Russia’s highly effective fighting force.

“This is their last chance,” the colonel told Radio Liberty. Sergei Cherevatirepresentative of the Eastern Group of Forces of Ukraine, referring to the Wagner group.

Mercenary forces helped Russia make little progress in Bahamut, mainly by pouring former prisoners into Ukrainian positions, which drains Kyiv’s strength, but at a high cost. “Almost all of them were killed there,” Colonel Tserevati said.

Founder of Wagner Evgeny Prigozhinpublicly feuded with the Russian Ministry of Defense, noting that it was not allowed to recruit more prisoners, even though these recruits were thought to be critical to success at Bakhmut.

He himself, who has criticized the Russian military leadership as grossly ineffective, wonders if this decision to cut off the supply of prisoners to his groups is deliberate, to dampen Wagner’s momentum.

The Ukrainian colonel’s comments come at a time when a number of analysts are questioning whether Ukraine should continue to spend so many resources on the battle for Bakhmut.

Monday Mr. President Zelensky he said that two high-ranking Ukrainian military commanders urged him not to leave the city, despite the fact that Russian troops surrounded him from three directions and both sides suffered huge losses.

Other analysts argue that if Ukraine manages to eliminate limited Russian supplies former imprisoned soldiers in Bahamuthe would no longer have to face them elsewhere.

“Russian convicts fit for combat are not unlimited, and the final liquidation of tens of thousands of them in Bakhmut means that they will not be available for more important battles,” the head of the Defense Ministry emphasized. Institute for the Study of War.

The Panel reiterated Ukraine’s assessment that Wagner units are running out of ex-prisoners. “Russian forces near Bakhmut have recently changed tactics and deployed better special forces,” the analysis notes, adding that Wagner is using ex-prisoners there “much more limited than in previous months” due to high casualties.

“We will stay in Bahamut”

Ukrainian President Zelensky publicly promised his troops remain in Bahamut after several days during which they appeared to be able to withdraw, apparently dragging out a bloody battle in an attempt to break Moscow’s attacking forces.

In recent weeks, Moscow has sent thousands of soldiers to capture the city and secure its first victory on the ground in more than six months.