Video: Satellite images show destruction in Bakhmut (Reuters)
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday night the completion of the takeover of the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. This was after nine months of fighting in the city and a year after the outbreak of fighting in its vicinity. President Vladimir Putin congratulated his troops on the victory, promising to reward outstanding soldiers. Kyiv has yet to comment on the announcement.
Yesterday, the Wagner Group, Russia's mercenaries, announced that it had managed to take control of Bakhmut. 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 alongside his fighters, who waved Russian flags and Wagner signs. "Today at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely occupied," he said. According to him, the Wagner Group purged the city "from house to house." He added that his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut on May 25 to rest and regroup.
- news
- World News
- Europe
Tags
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin