The head of the Wagner paramilitary group on Friday accused Russia's regular army of "fleeing" from its positions near Bakhmut in Ukraine, saying Russian defenses were "collapsing" and military commanders were downplaying the situation. Yevgeny Prigozhin's denunciation coincides with Kiev's declaration that his forces recaptured the logistics center of this long-contested city.
"Defense ministry units simply fled from the flanks" in Bakhmut, Prigozhin said in a video. Defenses "collapse," attempts to "smooth the situation" will lead to a global tragedy for Russia, he added.
According to him, Ukrainian forces regained control of a reservoir north of Bakhmut and took up positions in elevated tactical areas, overlooking the city.
Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photo: AP
He also claimed that Kiev has retaken the route leading to the town of Chasiv Yar further west, which had been blockaded by Russian forces for several weeks.
Prigozhin's statements could not be independently verified.
The Kiev Reports
Ukraine made statements confirming the version of the head of the Wagner Group.
Ukrainian military commanders announced Friday that their troops have recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the site of the war's longest and bloodiest battle, at Bakhmut, but it was unclear whether this marked the start of Kiev's long-awaited counteroffensive.
The Ukrainian army still needs time before launching a counteroffensive, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast by the BBC on Thursday. The operation has been months in the making, while the front has been virtually frozen since last year.
Ukrainian soldiers in captured Russian tanks. Photo: AP
Analysts cite the Zaporiya region as the likely scene of this major offensive.
On Bakhmut, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement Friday that Kiev had stepped up its attacks in the north of the region.
The two kilometers (1.2 miles) of territory recaptured by Ukrainian forces south of Bakhmut this week represent a considerable advance for Kiev and will protect an important supply chain, according to commanders of Ukraine's Third Separate Assault Brigade, a special forces unit that led the attack.
Zelenskiy said he met Friday with top military commanders. He stressed that he heard a report from General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose forces "stopped the enemy and even made him retreat in some directions."
In a statement posted on Telegram, Hanna Maliar confirmed Friday that Ukrainian forces gained ground around the city, reiterating statements Ukrainian military commanders made this week.
The battle for Bakhmut, once a salt-mining town, has dragged on for eight months, the longest of the war so far.
The counteroffensive
Speaking to RFI, Ukrainian commander Ashot Arutiunian expressed his desire for a counteroffensive and an end to months of stalemate and a war of attrition.
Russian soldiers from a tactical unit cover a mortar near Bakhmut. Photo: EFE
In charge of a team of volunteers operating aerial reconnaissance drones, he said: "I think everyone is fed up with this frozen situation. Nobody likes it, neither us nor the Russians. That is why everyone expects this counter-offensive to take place. But when I'm in Kiev and people ask me 'when are you going to fight back?' I feel like hitting them. Because a counterattack is one in five chance of survival for soldiers. It is a very hard task, I experienced it in Kiev and Kherson. Defense is easier."
"Yes, I want a change, I want to end this war as soon as possible, but I think the military and political authorities know when to start this operation. You don't have to rush," he told RFI.
With his teams of drone pilots, the commander can get a clear idea of what is happening on the other side: "They have fortified their positions well. They have had enough time. They are digging much better than we are, faster and more efficiently. From what I've seen of his way of digging, hats off."
Pending possible movements, the two sides will continue to observe each other using drones.
Associated Press, AFP and RFI
ap
See also