McFate Talks to Newsweek About the Rift Between the Wagner Group and the Russian Military

March 15, 2023

Newsweek

Sean McFate

Maxwell in Washington, D.C.

Conflict

International Affairs

Russia

Ukraine

Newsweek

Sean McFate

Russian troops are on the cusp of taking Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine. The Wagner Group has supported the effort in Bakhmut, and it's financier Yevgeny Prigozhin, is keen to project that his troops can do better than regular Russian forces.

"There's an ongoing public split between Wagner and the Russian military, and both sides are looking for symbolic wins," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

"It's a matter of honor for the leadership in charge and they're paying with the lives of people. If Bakhmut falls, it won't lead necessarily to decisive victory for one side or the other," McFate says.

Read more in the Newsweek article, "Bakhmut Will Fall. Here's What Russia Will Do Next."

McFate was also quoted in the Newsweek article, "Former Russian Commander Points to Lack of Bakhmut Progress."