Moscow: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group, has predicted that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could last for another three years, depending on the objectives Moscow actually pursues. The businessman said this during an exclusive interview with Semyon Pegov on Friday for the independent WarGonzo project.
In reference to the areas formerly occupied by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, which were recently annexed by Russia, Prigozhin said, "If we need to cover the DPR and LPR, then we need to work for at least another year and a half or two."
According to Prigozhin, if Russia tries to "go towards the Dnepr," a significant river that divides Ukraine roughly in half, the conflict could continue for up to three more years. The founder of the private military organisation also stated that the goal of any conflict should always be to eliminate the enemy's army, not to conquer their territory.
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As if in jest, Prigozhin also disclosed that he already had a perfect plan in place should Moscow attempt to reach across all of Europe towards the English Channel. Everyone in Russia must give up their free time, put on their "working suits," and work nonstop in order to accomplish that goal. However, since Ukrainians will "suffer here with us" much more, some campaign spoils, such as "France, Italy, Bulgaria and something else," should be given to them later.
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Since its establishment in 2014, Wagner has primarily provided security services in Africa and the Middle East. While Prigozhin denied his affiliation with the organisation and its very existence until last year, the specifics of its deployments have not been made public.
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The group has taken part in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine actively and has achieved a number of victories over Ukrainian forces. The company has received widespread international attention as a result of its accomplishments; last month, the US designated Wagner as a "transnational criminal organisation."