Zelenskyy denies that Russia fully controls city ‘destroyed’ in bloodiest clash since invasion. The battle for Bakhmut, Ukraine’s eastern city, has been marked by intense fighting and destruction since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently proclaimed a major triumph, stating that Russian forces, aided by the paramilitary group Wagner, had captured Bakhmut. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuted these claims, asserting that its remained unoccupied by Russia.
The city has suffered immense damage, with no buildings left standing. While the control of Bakhmut is still disputed, Ukrainian forces have made progress on multiple flanks. The battle has been led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Wagner, who claimed responsibility for the capture but downplayed the involvement of regular armed forces.
The Ukrainian military has denied Russia’s control over Bakhmut, highlighting ongoing heavy fighting in certain areas. Although Bakhmut holds little strategic value, it represents a symbolic victory for Russia. The offensive aimed to inflict high casualties on Ukraine’s armed forces and weaken them for an anticipated counteroffensive. President Zelenskyy believes that holding it will exhaust Russian forces and deter further advancement into Donetsk province. Throughout the conflict, Prigozhin criticized Russia’s army leadership, accusing them of depriving Wagner forces of essential artillery shells.
He expressed gratitude to two demoted generals for their support and announced Wagner’s upcoming withdrawal, leaving Russia’s army to defend against an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive.
[…] Prigozhin’s death could solidify Putin’s position domestically, it also presents the potential for martyrdom. Loyalists who pledged […]