Ukrainian Defense Forces Dispute Mercenaries’ Claim of Victory in Bakhmut
The chief of Russia’s mercenary Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, boldly proclaimed on Saturday that his forces had achieved complete control over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut after 224 days of brutal fighting. However, the Ukrainian military immediately refuted this claim, stating that the battle for the city was still ongoing. Despite the lack of independent verification, Prigozhin boasted about his forces’ accomplishment in a video posted on Telegram, seeking to assert a final victory. The response from Ukrainian authorities, including Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, revealed a different reality on the ground.
Russian Mercenaries Sustain Heavy Losses in Bakhmut’s Gruesome Battle
The battle for Bakhmut has been characterized as a “meat grinder,” evoking images of the horrific trench warfare seen in World War I. Located in the Donetsk region, Bakhmut has been a primary target for Russian forces for months, as they seek to exert control over the Donbas area. While Russian troops have made a slow advance street by street, Ukrainian forces have managed to recapture small pockets of territory surrounding the city. The casualties suffered by Russian forces have been significant, with estimates suggesting a ratio of five Russian losses for every Ukrainian soldier killed defending Bakhmut. Moreover, the battle has revealed internal divisions within the Russian ranks, with Prigozhin accusing a Russian brigade of abandonment and expressing frustration over ammunition shortages.