“Putin’s cook” criticizes the Russian army and accuses its defense minister of incompetence

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group of Russia’s private military and known as “Putin’s chef,” is criticizing the Russian Defense Ministry while some in the Russian elite are lashing out at Putin’s ally.

Prigozhin accused the Ministry of Defense of incompetence and corruption and compared his near-constant presence in Bakhmut to the notable absence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Western analysts believe that Prigozhin fell into a trap set by Shoigu, a trap designed to weaken both Wagner and its chief.

CNN’s Melissa Bell provides more details on the subject in her report.