Ukraine reported further advances on the front line around the eastern Ukrainian city in the evening. Russia claims the capture of the city for itself – a statement by Zelensky must be clarified in the aftermath.
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin denied this: There is not a single living Ukrainian soldier left in Bakhmut, he claimed in an audio message on Telegram. Even if conquered, the city would have no military or political use for the Russians, Cherevatyi said.