A website linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Russian private military group Wagner, has reported that the group intends to ship the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who died fighting in the city of Solidar, which it controls, to areas under control of Ukraine.
The Ria Van website, owned by Prigozhin’s media conglomerate, quoted Commander Wagner as saying that the bodies would be shipped from Solidar to Ukrainian-controlled areas in four or five convoys of about 20 trucks.
Number of bodies
The report, released on Saturday, does not say how many bodies will be returned to Ukrainian authorities, but does say Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy losses at Solidar.
The report also added that Yevgeny Prigozhin made it clear that the soldiers’ bodies were to be returned to Ukraine in a “dignified manner” but gave no further details about the process, Reuters reported.
The developments come after White House national security spokesman John Kirby announced yesterday that “Wagner, which supports Russian forces in their military operation in Ukraine and claims success on the battlefield, will be classified as a major transnational criminal organization.” reports Reuters. .
Kirby also called the group “a criminal organization that commits massive atrocities and violations of human rights.”
In turn, Wagner founder Evgeny Prigozhin responded via Telegram and wrote: “Dear Mr. Kirby, could you explain the crime committed by Wagner?”
Solidar control
It is noteworthy that on January 11, Wagner announced that it had gained control over Solidar.
Pro-Moscow authorities in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine said a few days ago that they controlled the city, where fierce fighting took place.
For their part, the Ukrainian authorities also stated during the clashes in Solidar that Russian troops suffered heavy losses.
Wanted in Washington
Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had previously shunned the spotlight and denied his ties to Wagner, admitted last September that he founded the group, which plays an important role in the conflict, describing it as a completely independent force with its own aircraft, tanks, missiles and artillery. .
Prigozhin is wanted in the United States for meddling in US elections, which he announced in November that he has done and will continue to do.
