Wagner Group leader admits situation in Bakhmut is ‘very difficult’ for pro-Russian invaders

The leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhindescribed the situation in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, as “very difficult”, and assured that Ukraine is fighting “for every meter”.

“In Bakhmut the situation is very difficult, the opponent is fighting for every meter and the closer you get to the city center, the harder the fights.said Prigozhin, quoted by his press service.

According to him, the Ukrainian armed forces are increasingly sending “more reserves” to the city, which the Russians have been seeking to capture since last summer.

At one time, Prigozhin ensured that Wagner’s units “advanced” into the citywhich both sides consider important for the future of the great battle of Donbass.

“We are making progress and we will continue to make progress,” the Wagner boss said.

He added that Wagner, the main Russian assault force in Donetsk, finally received some of the ammunition claimed.

“The guys from the Defense Ministry, they come from Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and even Avdiivka, where there is fierce fighting, with ammunition for us,” he said.

This weekend the group of mercenaries received 27 trucks loaded with ammunition.

“I think we will continue to receive them“, he estimated and ruled out that there was a conflict between Wagner and the army, despite previous criticism from the Russian military leadership for the lack of help to the paramilitary group.

Over the weekend, fighters from the paramilitary group reportedly occupied favorable positions in the industrial zone of the Bakhmut AZOM metallurgical plant, according to Andrei Marochko, a representative of the Russian-imposed authorities in Lugansk.

According to Márochko, these positions allow Russian troops “to control the movements of the enemy, in addition to creating a good bridgehead for the future advance of our forces”.

The Ukrainian army reported on Monday that it was fighting “fierce fightingfor control of the Bakhmut center.

“Wagner’s assault units attack from different directionsto “advance towards the central districts”, indicated the Ukrainian army during a briefing. “Our defenders inflict heavy losses on the enemy in fierce battles“, he added.

The city of Bakhmut, which had a population of 70,000 before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, was the epicenter of fighting on the east facade.

The city has become a symbol for Ukraine and Russia, which suffered heavy losses in this battle, although, according to observers, its strategic importance is limited.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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