Russia trembling as Putin’s Wagner Group warlord claims Ukraine is preparing massive attack with 200,000 troops | The Sun

WAGNER Group warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin fears Ukraine has built up a 200,000-strong reserve of troops ready to launch a huge counter-blitz.

The Russian billionaire has warned his feared mercenary army to "prepare for the worst".

Ukrainian political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko denied the country's armed forces has extra troops trained and ready to strike.

But he added that if Kyiv did, the soldiers would attack the Wagner Group.

Putin's "favourite chef" Prigozhin has been waging war in eastern Ukraine – but with 50,000 men the private army would be heavily outnumbered should they come to blows with 200,000 reserve troops.

Prigozhin, who heads the group, said they have used reconnaissance satellites to spot the reserves.

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In a post published by Concord group on Telegram, he said: "There is a joke that ends with the phrase: 'So big, but you believe in fairy tales'.

"Therefore, the political scientist Ishchenko and other very positive kind guys may turn out to be the best military analysts in the world. 

"But I think that it is better to prepare for the worst, especially since there are already all tendencies towards this. 

"And who sees how many people, I can say this: 'Tell me, who in our country has reconnaissance satellites, except for Wagner PMC? Therefore, we see 200,000 Ukrainian reserves, but we don’t see 60,000 UAF soldiers fleeing in fear'."

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Prigozhin – dubbed Putin's chef – was doubling down on comments he made last month as he claimed Ukraine was preparing for an attack along the eastern frontline.

But ruthless Prigozhin could be attempting to drum up more supplies for his troops by exaggerating, according to think tank Institute for the Study of War.

The research group said: "Prigozhin‘s exaggerated statements about the imminent threat to Russian forces are likely an attempt to secure more supplies and reinforcements from the Russian MoD to save his forces in Bakhmut."

The UK Ministry of Defence reported in December that the Wagner Group was using “readily available convict recruits” as “expendable” soldiers to feed Putin’s war machine as he takes on heavy losses.

The recently liberated lags traded in their long prison sentences for military service, but also likely death.

One defected convict-soldier described being used as “cannon fodder” in Putin’s wargames. 

He was later suspected to have been killed by the Wagner Group.

Prigozhin is reported to have personally toured the penal colonies for recruits to take a major role in Russia’s eastern offensive – including in the bloodiest battles for Soledar and Bakhmut.

It comes as Putin has a 45-mile-long trench dug across Ukraine’s invaded Zaporizhzhia region.

The Russian tyrant’s move is in preparation for a counter-offensive from Kyiv’s forces.

The deep scar across the countryside can be seen from space and was captured in images taken by the Sentinel-2 satellite.

Putin appears worried about holding the region — despite illegally annexing it into the Russian Federation.

The World War One-style “mega-trench” has been highlighted by the Ukrainian Centre for Journalistic Investigations.

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It is nearly 50 miles behind the current front line, indicating Putin’s fear as to how far back his forces could be pushed.

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