Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia's Wagner Group, has publicly criticized President Vladimir Putin and top Russian military officials in recent days. Wagner Group has acted as a mercenary front for Putin's military goals and is responsible for the shelling and rocket campaign in the contested eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. As international attention on Wagner Group grows, several European countries are moving toward designating the group as a terrorist organization. It is unclear how Prigozhin's current conflict with Putin and the Russian military will pan out, as he escalates his rhetoric and threats even as criticism of Putin mounts. In his latest video, released May 10th, Prigozhin refers to a "happy grandpa" whose weapons "kill our soldiers," which some observers interpret as a direct criticism of Putin himself. Prigozhin denies criticizing Putin but has been recording graphic and expletive-laden videos accusing senior generals of denying his forces necessary supplies. The battle for Bakhmut has taken on a symbolic significance for both Russia and Ukraine, with high numbers of troops and casualties on both sides over a relatively small strategic value.