Russian troops have abandoned Wagner fighters around Bakhmut, mercenary group claims – National | 24CA News
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, on Thursday accused common Russian military items of pulling again 570 meters north of the jap Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut, leaving his personal fighters’ flanks uncovered.
Reuters was unable to confirm his assertion and there was no speedy remark from the protection ministry.
Wagner forces have been spearheading the assault on Bakhmut, one of many bloodiest and longest battles of the warfare, one thing Moscow calls “a special military operation,” with some help from the common military in current months.
Prigozhin, who has repeatedly accused Russia’s high army brass of not doing sufficient to again his males, requested the protection ministry to do all it may to guard Bakhmut’s flanks after what he alleged was a withdrawal.
“Unfortunately, units of the Russian Defence Ministry have withdrawn up to 570 meters to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks,” Prigozhin mentioned in a voice message.
“I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence – publicly – because my letters are not being read,” Prigozhin mentioned.
“Please do not give up the flanks,” he mentioned, addressing Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff.
Wagner says it has taken many of the shattered metropolis – albeit at huge human price. But Ukraine says its forces have retaken territory round Bakhmut in current days.
Moscow sees Bakhmut, a metropolis of about 70,000 earlier than the warfare, as a possible stepping stone in the direction of capturing the remainder of the jap industrial Donbas area bordering Russia.
— Reporting by Reuters reporters Writing by Caleb DavisEditing by Andrew Osborn
© 2023 Thomson Reuters
