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Russia's Military Riven by Public Feud

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 1/28/russia-s-military-riven-by-public-feud.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, January 28th 2026 at 13:03 GMT by BBC
      Locales: UKRAINE, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Moscow, Russia - January 28, 2026 - A recently surfaced incident involving a minefield attack in Syria, and the subsequent admission of responsibility by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, is laying bare a growing and increasingly public fissure within the Russian military and security apparatus. The event, which resulted in the deaths of two Russian soldiers and injuries to others, highlights a pattern of escalating tensions between Wagner and the traditional Russian armed forces.

Initially, Prigozhin vehemently denied any connection to the attack, which involved remotely detonated mines strategically placed in an area where Russian troops were operating. However, a video released by Prigozhin himself seemingly contradicted this denial. The footage depicts him visiting the site of the blast and, crucially, acknowledging that Wagner forces were responsible for planting the mines - mines originally laid by Russian forces themselves. This raises critical questions about the purpose and intent of the operation.

While details remain murky, the implication is that Wagner deliberately targeted a location knowing it contained pre-existing Russian mines, effectively turning a defensive measure into an offensive weapon against Russian personnel. Prigozhin's explanation, delivered in the video, frames the situation as a consequence of Wagner's operations inadvertently triggering the older mines. However, the precise orchestration and potential motivations behind such a scenario are under intense scrutiny.

This incident isn't isolated. Over the past several months, Prigozhin has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Russian Ministry of Defence and its leadership, particularly regarding the conduct of the war in Ukraine. He has accused military officials of incompetence, corruption, and failing to adequately supply Wagner forces with necessary resources - including ammunition and reinforcements. These criticisms, once confined to Telegram channels and private communications, have become increasingly public and aggressive, frequently appearing in state-controlled media and social media platforms.

Analysts suggest this public feud isn't merely a personality clash. It's a power struggle reflecting a deeper competition for influence within the Russian war effort. Wagner mercenaries have been at the forefront of some of the most intense and strategically important battles in both Ukraine and Syria, often achieving successes where conventional Russian forces have stalled. This battlefield effectiveness has given Prigozhin significant leverage, and he appears intent on using it to enhance Wagner's autonomy and influence.

"Prigozhin is essentially building a state within a state," explains Dr. Anya Petrova, a Russia security analyst at the London School of Economics. "Wagner isn't just a mercenary group; it's a private military company with its own logistical network, recruitment capabilities, and increasingly, a political agenda. The minefield incident is a symptom of a larger problem - a breakdown in command and control and a growing lack of coordination between different actors involved in Russia's military operations."

The implications of this internal conflict are substantial. A divided military command structure risks undermining Russia's overall war effort, creating opportunities for Ukrainian forces and potentially leading to further setbacks on the battlefield. Furthermore, the public nature of the dispute weakens morale and erodes public trust in the Russian leadership. The situation has prompted speculation about a possible restructuring of the Russian military command, or even a potential attempt to rein in Prigozhin and Wagner.

However, given Wagner's proven effectiveness and Prigozhin's close ties to elements within the Kremlin, any effort to suppress the group could be fraught with difficulties. It's more likely that a delicate balance of power will be maintained, with Wagner continuing to operate with a degree of autonomy but under increased scrutiny. The Syrian minefield incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex and volatile dynamics at play within Russia's war machine, and the risks inherent in relying on private military companies with their own agendas.