The strategically important city of Artyomovsk, also known as Bakhmut in Ukraine, has been completely liberated by the Russian forces.
Evgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military company, has announced that Bakhmut has been fully seized by Russian forces. In a video address released on Saturday, Prigozhin confirmed that the remaining part of a high-rise building complex, where Ukrainian forces had been entrenched, is now under the control of Russian troops.
Prigozhin further stated that the Wagner Group will maintain its presence in Artyomovsk until Thursday, during which time they will establish fortifications throughout the city. Subsequently, control of the city will be handed over to the Russian Defense Ministry, and the servicemen of the Wagner Group will take leave to recuperate and reorganize after months of intense combat.
According to Prigozhin, the private military company’s operation in the city, which he referred to as ‘the Bakhmut meat-grinder’, lasted for 224 days. He asserted, “We have seized the entire city – every building – to eliminate any claims that we didn’t capture some small part of it.”
However, Kiev has refuted Prigozhin’s assertions that Artyomovsk has been captured. Ukrainian military spokesman Sergey Cherevaty responded to Reuters, stating, “This is not true. Our units are still engaged in combat in Bakhmut.”
The head of the Wagner Group also directly addressed Ukraine’s President, Vladimir Zelensky, and conveyed a message without sarcasm, acknowledging the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian troops defending Artyomovsk. He added a playful remark, saying, “Today, when you see [US President Joe] Biden, kiss him on the top of his head and tell him that I said ‘hi’.”
On Saturday, Zelensky attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, where he is anticipated to hold discussions with President Biden.