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Defense OneDec 23, 2022
The Facts
The Russian mercenary group Wagner PMC appears to have taken a "temporary tactical pause" in the fight for the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, according to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US think tank covering military affairs.
While ISW confirmed that Wagner appears to have captured Dubovo-Vasylivka, a settlement northwest of Bakhmut, in recent days, it stated that: "There have been no reports of Wagner fighters conducting offensive operations from eastern Bakhmut into central parts of the city since Russian forces captured all of eastern Bakhmut located east of the Bakhmutka River on March 7."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
In leading Russia's charge of Bakhmut, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has risen to great heights. While his success may bring him a certain level of protection, the higher he ascends and seemingly challenges the authority of Russian Pres. Putin, the harder he may fall. Putin has a history of sidelining political rivals.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russian volunteer groups including Wagner continue to make progress in Bakhmut. This simply would not be possible if they did not have sufficient ammunition. Hence, these allegations are false. Attempts to drive a wedge between Wagner and the Russian military are distractions that only help the enemy.