Mercenary fighters from Russia’s Wagner group have reportedly captured two additional areas of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, according to a statement released by Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Saturday.
The ministry claims that the Wagner assault units have been successful in advancing and have taken control of two districts on the northern and southern outskirts of Bakhmut.
The Ukrainian government has not yet released an official statement regarding the situation, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington DC has corroborated the Russian claims.
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The ISW, which monitors global conflicts, released a statement on Saturday stating that geolocated footage has shown that the Wagner Group forces have made marginal gains in the northwestern part of Bakhmut and have advanced in the southwestern area of the city.
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The battle for the besieged city of Bakhmut has been ongoing since the start of the Russian invasion, and it has seen some of the fiercest fighting and longest engagement in the conflict. The city is strategically located, and it has been a key target for Russian-backed separatist forces.
The Wagner Group is a private military company that has been accused of being involved in a number of conflicts around the world, including Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. The group is believed to be closely linked to the Russian government, although Moscow has denied any involvement.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern regions of the country.
The conflict has already claimed the lives of thousands of people, and it shows no signs of abating.
The capture of two additional areas in Bakhmut by the Wagner Group will likely escalate tensions between Ukraine and Russia further.
The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but with both sides showing no sign of backing down, it remains to be seen if a peaceful solution is possible.
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In the meantime, the people of Bakhmut continue to suffer as the fighting intensifies.
The city has been subjected to shelling, bombing, and gunfire, leaving many residents without access to food, water, or medical care. As the conflict continues, it is the innocent civilians who are paying the highest price.
