Russian paramilitary group Wagner says it will transfer control of the city of Bakhmut to the Russian army on May 25. A few minutes later, Kiev denied it and still claims to fight.
If confirmed, the capture would allow Moscow to post a victory after a series of humiliating setbacks. The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, where he meets to increase international pressure on Moscow. "They will answer for their actions," said the boss of Wagner.