Apparently Prigozhin's statement made some waves in Russian social media, as he is admitting more casualties just by Wagner in the battle for Bakhmut alone than Russia has acknowledged for its whole armed forces in the entire "special military operation". Of course, people already knew it was a lie. Russians have a word for such lies, Vranyo. That's the lie everyone knows is a lie, but they just say it, just go along. Prigozhin contradicting the lie publicly is like telling a parent with an ugly child that their child is ugly. They already knew that, but how could he say it out loud?!?
“he (Prigozhin) is admitting more casualties just by Wagner in the battle for Bakhmut alone than Russia has acknowledged for its whole armed forces in the entire “special military operation”.”
I think one of the effects that we will see this year, is a change in popular perception in Russia, as it broadly sinks in to the public that Russia is in fact taking a very significant beating, with real costs and risks to themselves personally.
It started out as a TV event for the people in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where they felt insulated from real downsides - like cheering for their team in the World Cup, or for the Russian guy in Eurovision.
By the end of this year, it should be quite clear to most that they really are stuck with a huge problem, and have to prepare for (or at least seriously consider) a loss in the war.
“You can’t fool all the people, all the time.”