Wagner mercenaries remain in Bakhmut, while being replaced by the Russian army in the suburbs – Defense Ministry
Bakhmut destroyed by Russian invaders, May 21, 2023 (Photo:Press Service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Machanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via)
Russian invaders have replaced Wagner private military company units in the suburbs of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, with regular army units, while Wagner mercenaries remain in the city itself, Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar reported on Telegram on May 25.
Ukrainian military control the outskirts of Bakhmut in the southwestern part in the Litak region, she confirmed.
“In the Bakhmut area, the enemy is trying to stop our advance on the flanks with artillery shelling. Now the enemy is pulling up additional units to the flanks for reinforcement.”
Fighting also continues in the Kupyansk area, added the deputy minister. The Russians are attacking and trying to capture a bridgehead for further advancement. They are suffering losses. The Armed Forces repelled attacks on Avdiivka and Maryinka.
Wagner PMC founder and leader Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier ordered his mercenaries to leave the city of Bakhmut by June 1, as reported by his press service.
Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut continue defensive operations and are successful on the flanks, said Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on May 24.
Over the past day, “the activity of offensive actions of the occupiers in the area has somewhat decreased,” and Defense Forces slightly advanced on the flanks to the north and south of Bakhmut, Malyar said on May 24.
Prigozhin announced the complete capture of Bakhmut by his militants on May 20. The Armed Forces and Defense Ministry of Ukraine denied this information and say that fighting in the city continues.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to stay in the city.
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