President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Moscow’s Wagner private army, backed by Russian troops, has “completely destroyed” the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Zelenskyy described the devastation, stating, “They destroyed everything… There is nothing in this place. For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts.”
Zelenskyy’s spokesman later denied these claims, stating that the president did not acknowledge the capture of Bakhmut.
Meanwhile, Russia asserts that it has successfully taken full control of the city, marking a significant victory after over 10 months of fighting.
The Russian Defense Ministry released a statement claiming that the Wagner assault units, supported by artillery and aviation from the “Southern” unit, had liberated the city of Artemovsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly congratulated the assault units and support servicemen involved in the battle for the city.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, shared a video on Telegram showing Russian fighters amidst a ruined cityscape.
In the video, Prigozhin declared that Bakhmut had been completely taken, and Wagner fighters would conduct a thorough search before handing it over to the Russian army.
He outlined plans to establish defensive lines and transfer control to the military by May 25. The sound of ongoing fighting could be heard in the background as Prigozhin delivered his message.
What you should know
With a population of over 70,000 before the Russian invasion in early 2022, Bakhmut was the centre of a fierce battle for control.
The fight erupted last August, pitting Russian forces against Kyiv in the industrial Donbas area.
The struggle for Bakhmut spiralled into a brutal and protracted conflict, characterized by trench warfare and an ongoing battle of attrition.
The gruelling siege surpassed all others in duration, exacting a heavy toll on both Ukraine and Russia.
Located along the vital E40 highway, Bakhmut holds significant strategic importance. This highway connects Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, with Rostov-on-Don in Russia.
Control over Bakhmut would provide Russia with a crucial foothold to advance westward, targeting Ukrainian cities like Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, key industrial and administrative centres in the Donetsk region.
The capture of Bakhmut by Russian forces brings them one step closer to achieving their ultimate objective: the complete conquest of the Donetsk area.
The implications of such a development extend far beyond the city itself, amplifying tensions and intensifying the stakes for both sides in this high-stakes conflict.
In a bid to draw international attention to the plight of Bakhmut, Ukraine has released harrowing drone footage showcasing the relentless shelling and destruction faced by the city.
The visual evidence paints a grim picture of the horrors endured by the residents and underscores the urgent need for intervention and resolution in this prolonged crisis.
