Wagner says Russian fighters near central Bakhmut

Chief of the mercenary Wagner group has said his forces were close to the centre of Ukraine's eastern city of Bakhmut.

2 min read

11 March, 2023

The battle for Bakhmut what has become the longest and bloodiest fight of Russia's year-long assault in Ukraine [Getty]

The chief of Russian mercenary group Wagner has said in a clip posted Saturday that his forces are close to the centre of the frontline hotspot of Bakhmut.

In a video posted on messaging app Telegram, Yevgeny Prigozhin is seen standing on a roof of a high-rise building in what is said to be Bakhmut.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin: “Dear Vladimir Alexandrovitch Zelensky, the Wagner PMC unit has practically surrounded Bakhmut. Only one road remains to leave the city.” pic.twitter.com/WPTcnleoLQ
— catranchdream🇨🇦🩸😤 (@catranchdream) March 5, 2023

"This is the building of the town administration, this is the centre of the town," Prigozin said in the video, pointing towards a building in the distance.

"It is one kilometre and two hundred metres away," he said.

He said that the most important thing now was to receive ammunition and "move forward."

Wagner has been spearheading offensives against cities in eastern Ukraine including Bakhmut, in what has become the longest and bloodiest fight of Russia's year-long assault. Both sides have suffered heavy losses around Bakhmut.

Prigozhin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, has been entangled in a power struggle with the defence ministry.

Prigozhin has several times claimed battlefield victories ahead of Russia's army, criticised Russia's top brass and accused the military of not sharing ammunition with his ragtag forces.