Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin is in open conflict with the Russian military hierarchy. He accuses them of not providing enough ammunition to his paramilitary group, on the front line in Bakhmut.
"A soldier should not die because of the stupidity of his leaders," he said. The public display of accusations highlights the deep divisions within the Russian forces, at the very moment when those in Kiev say they are preparing to launch a major offensive in the east of the country. The statements came as Vladimir Putin was overseeing a military parade in Moscow commemorating "Victory Day" over Nazi Germany.