![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Prigozhin-and-Putin-4925339.jpg?r=1692876806599\")
<\/p>\n
Former British military intelligence and security officer Philip Ingram MBE suggested the behaviour demonstrated by the head of the Wagner Group in recent months may have brought Putin to bring him down.<\/p>\n
Appearing on GB News, the expert referred to Mr Prigozhin’s blistering criticism of the Russian military leadership and their decisions when it comes to the invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The Wagner leader, whose troops fought in the months-long Battle for Bakhmut, accused in particular Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov of incompetence and leaving his men without ammunition.<\/p>\n
Mr Ingram said: “Putin was upset at Prigozhin’s attempted coup, but he started to isolate him and push him away much earlier than that, whenever Prigozhin was being openly vocal against the Defence Minister Shoigu and the Commander of the operations into Ukraine Gerasimov, and started to suggest he had political ambitions to take over from Putin should Putin be disposed of. That\u2019s what will have upset Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “Of course there are Russian regional elections in September and we have presidential elections next year – and Putin is very good at removing anyone who suggests that they want to impose him.”<\/p>\n Millions of Russians will vote in the regional elections to be held in early September, and many will also have to cast their ballot in four by-elections.<\/p>\n The presidential elections will instead take place in March next year, and although Putin hasn’t yet put his name forward he is highly expected to run – and win again.<\/p>\n Mr Ingram added Putin won’t be bothered if he loses the support of Wagner troops, as he “doesn’t need them at all” when it comes to his war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n He said: “They took over a year to capture seven kilometres of territory around an insignificant little town called Bakhmut, and therefore they didn’t do very well.<\/p>\n “They did very well in the information sphere because you would have thought that everything that was happening in Russia was happening through Wagner.<\/p>\n “But that was just the power of Prigozhin, and again that power of Prigozhin will have upset Putin.”<\/p>\n
Shadowy figures named as most likely to fill Prigozhin\u2019s boots[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Wagner warlord Prigozhin cheated death once before in eerily similar plane crash[REPORT] <\/strong>
Putin may have just give Kyiv a huge boost as Ukrainians ‘literally gleeful'[REPORT] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/russia-4925340.jpg?r=1692876806660\")
<\/p>\n