Russian Defense Ministry announced the takeover of Bakhmut on Sunday night. Putin congratulated his forces on winning the battle, which lasted for months, and promised to reward them.
Ukraine has not yet responded to the announcement. Yesterday, the Wagner Group, Russia's mercenaries, announced that it had managed to take control of the strategic city. However, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Eastern Command denied the claim and news agencies were unable to verify it. The head of the group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, made the remarks in the video while wearing military uniforms.