The conflict between Russian nationalist Igor Girkin and Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the private military company (PMC) Wagner, likely exposes a new area of \u200b\u200bcompetition between Russian nationalist groups for political influence in Russia. This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) for January 26.

Experts write that the parties exchanged mutual accusations. So, Girkin accused the Wagner group of the fact that, despite the war in Ukraine, a large number of PMC forces still remain in Africa.. He also criticized an interview with an unnamed Wagner commander, in which he stated that Girkin was " Girkin called this interview an attempt to anonymously discredit him..

Prigozhin, in turn, sarcastically invited Girkin to join one of the Wagner assault detachments in the occupied Lugansk region.. The latter stated that he would consider this invitation if it was made in person and not in a public field..

[see_also ids\u003d"

ISW admits that the conflict between Prigozhin and Girkin may be beneficial to Russian President Vladimir Putin, since Prigozhin occupies a very prominent place in the Russian information space during the war in Ukraine. On the other hand, experts say, Prigozhin could have been trying to deliberately undermine Girkin's positions in order to gain influence in the nationalist space and "

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War wrote that the rapid growth of Prigozhin's influence could be dangerous for Putin..