Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Friday that Russia’s war in Ukraine is meant to benefit Russian elites, escalating tensions between him and Russian leadership. He also accused Moscow of lying about the invasion.

In a video on Telegram, Prigozhin disputed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reasons for invading Ukraine, claiming the war was launched for the benefit of Russian leaders.

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War for Oligarchs, Not Denazification

Prigozhin argued that the war was not needed to protect Russian citizens or to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine, as Putin claimed. He said the war was needed by oligarchs and the ruling clan in Russia.

Prigozhin alleged that the goal of the war was to install pro-Russian Viktor Medvedchuk as president of Ukraine and divide the country’s assets.

Prigozhin stated that there was never any plan for Ukraine or NATO to attack Russia. He has frequently criticized Russian elites, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine.

Russian Army Retreating

Prigozhin claimed that Russia is losing ground in Ukraine as Ukrainian forces advance in their counteroffensive. This contradicts Putin’s narrative that Ukraine is experiencing a “catastrophic” defeat and has “no chance” of winning.

Read more on The Hill.