The boss of the wagner groupYevgeny Prigozhinhas announced full control of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmutthe focus of the longest and bloodiest battle of the war.
To make the statement, Prigozhin has opted for a video in which he appears in combat uniform in front of his fighters, carrying Russian flags and Wagner banners. “Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut has been completely taken“, has pronounced the mercenary leader. Immediately afterwards, he has announced that his forces will withdraw from Bakhmut as of May 25 to rest and return to training. “We completely take the entire city, from house to house,” he has sentenced.
Prigozhin has mocked the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenskyand the President of the United States Joe Biden, the same day that they participate in a G7 meeting in Japan, where the war in Ukraine was the main topic. “Today, when you see Biden (referring to Zelensky), kiss him on the top of the head, say hello for me,” Prigozhin said.
officially:
Russian Wagner units liberated the entire city of Bakhmut. pic.twitter.com/bxvRnL02Kx—Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 20, 2023
The leader of the mercenaries has also attacked putin, reproaching him for the innumerable human losses in his ranks due to the lack of support and supplies from Russia. Earlier this month, he threatened to withdraw his troops after publishing an angry statement targeting the defense minister, Sergey Shoigu. Due to the Russian bureaucracy and the “whims” of Shoigu and the chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov“five times more boys died than they should,” he said.
