Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated “Wagner’s shock detachments, as well as all military units of the Russian Armed Forces, who provided them with the necessary support and flank cover, for the completion of the operation to liberate Artyomovsk”. This was reported by the Krelmin press service, using the Soviet-era name of Bakhmut. The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced that it had completely conquered Bakhmut. “As a result of the offensive actions of Wagner’s assault detachments, with the support of artillery and aviation from the Southern Group of Forces, the liberation of the city of Artemovsk has been completed,” says the statement released by Russian Defense, which uses the name given to the city in 1924 by the Soviets. With this statement, the Russian government confirms Wagner’s boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had already claimed the capture of the city in a video. “We completely took over the entire city,” said Prigozhin, who was also congratulated by Vladimir Putin. In the video, however, Prigozhin used the opportunity to again attack the Russian military leadership: “We are fighting not only the Ukrainian forces, but also the Russian bureaucracy that has put a wrench in our jobs.”
Despite Russian announcements, however, fighting continues in the city. Ukrainian forces partially surrounded the city of Bakhmut from the flanks and still retain control of a sector of the city. The statement was made by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Mailar, to Telegram, shortly after Vladimir Putin declared the battle for the city over with the victory of the Russians.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
