How Kyiv, the Kremlin, and Prigozhin Responded to the Washington Post Publication

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and Ukrainian intelligence have commented on the Washington Post publication, which claims that Prigozhin proposed surrendering the positions of Russian regular troops to Ukraine, on the condition that Ukrainian armed forces withdraw from Bakhmut and allow his mercenaries to seize the city. Both sides have denied the information.

Prigozhin initially mockingly commented on the Washington Post article, saying, “Of course, I can confirm this information. We have nothing to hide from foreign intelligence services.” Later, in a lengthy audio commentary, the Wagner leader referred to the WP statements as speculations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the news that Yevgeny Prigozhin had allegedly offered the Ukrainian side information about the positions of Russian troops. “This is a matter of military intelligence,” Zelensky said. “Do you want me to be condemned for treason? And thus, it is very interesting if someone says that you have documents or if anyone from our government speaks about our intelligence operations. I want to ask you, which sources in Ukraine are you connecting with, who speaks about our intelligence activities? This is the gravest crime in our country.”