Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday congratulated the army and the Wagner paramilitary group on the capture of the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.
Putin also praised the support and flanking coverage of the Russian Armed Forces troops to the Wagner strike groups, announcing awards for those who “distinguish themselves,” according to the Kremlin press service, quoted by Russian television channel RBK.
In the early hours of Sunday (local time), the Russian Defense Ministry indicated that Wagner’s private army, backed by Russian troops, had taken full control of the city.
The head of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigojin, had already today claimed the capture of Bakhmut by Russian troops, a statement immediately denied by the Ukrainian army.
At the time, Ukrainian authorities said fighting for Bakhmut continued.
“The situation is critical. At the same time […] our defenders control some industrial facilities and infrastructure in the area, as well as in the private sector,” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar told the Telegram social network.
However, and in a statement released early on Sunday, the Russian armed forces announced that Bakhmut has been “completely liberated”.
Wagner Group mercenaries have been involved in the battle for Bakhmut, the longest and bloodiest since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
“The operation to take Bakhmut took 224 days […]. There was only Wagner here,” said Prigojin, who is in open conflict with the Russian military hierarchy.
Prigojin also announced that his men will hand over control of Bakhmut to the Russian army next Thursday.
“On May 25, we will thoroughly search the city, create defensive positions and hand it over to the army. For our part, we will return to the bases,” added the businessman close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both sides suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Bakhmut, the strategic importance of which is disputed.
Ukraine said this week it had recaptured more than 20 square kilometers from Russian forces north and south of the city.
At the same time, he recognized an advance of fighters from the Wagner Group into the city itself, where only a small part of the Ukrainian resistance remained in the west.
The flanks where the Ukrainians are said to have advanced at Bakhmut are occupied by regular Russian army troops.
Prigojin has accused Russian troops of fleeing positions in the Battle of Bakhmut and the General Staff in Moscow of not supplying enough ammunition to the Wagner Group mercenaries.
If confirmed, Bakhmut’s capture would bring Moscow victory after several humiliating setbacks.
Information about the course of the war released by the two sides cannot immediately be independently verified.
Source: DN
