Russia forced to replace Wagnerites as most units were destroyed by Ukrainian troops

Military personnel of the Russian army are forced to replace the mercenaries of the Wagner Group on the Bakhmut front, because most of this PMC's units were destroyed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine, on air of the 24/7 nationwide newscast

Details: Maliar commented on the partial replacement of Wagner PMC units with regular Russian troops as follows: "the Russians are forced to make this replacement (of Wagnerites on the Bakhmut front – ed.) because most of Wagner's units were destroyed by our Armed Forces. They have to do it now."

Details: She also said that regular Russian soldiers are discouraged, unlike Wagnerites, who are mercenaries and are thus motivated by their payment.

Maliar stressed that the situation in Bakhmut is "tense and difficult." The enemy prevails in numbers, but the losses of the invaders, according to her, are significantly higher than those of the Ukrainian defenders.

Background: 

• Late in January, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that the military personnel of the Russian army would probably replace the exhausted mercenary forces with the Wagner PMC to strengthen the offensive on Bakhmut.

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