Russian mercenary commander says Ukraine’s Bakhmut is practically under siege | – #Russian #mercenary #commander #Ukraines #Bakhmut #practically #siege
March 3 (Reuters) – Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force, said in a video released on Friday of Ukraine that the city of Bachmut was “practically besieged” by his forces and Kyiv said that only one way of his forces was left out.
Prigogine’s men for months of Ukraine led the attack in the east. Moscow views Bakhmut, which it called Artyomovsk during the Soviet era, as a useful stepping stone to capture larger cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
In the video military Prigozhin in uniform Ukraine called on President Vladimir Zelensky to withdraw his troops from the small town.
“Wagner is special military units of the company practically surrounded Bakhmut. Only one way left (Ukraine it is open for his forces) The hairs are getting tighter and tighter,” Prigozhin said.
Reuters geolocated the video to the village of Paraskoviivka, 4.3 miles (7 km) north of the center of Bakhmut. Prigozhin announced the capture of Paraskoviivka on February 17.
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Prigozhin said that his forces are professional Ukraine he fights against the elderly and children more than his army.
Later in the video captive to the three Ukrainians who had been kidnapped – an old man and two young boys, who looked scared and asked to be released to their homes. They seemed to be talking under extreme stress.
Prigozhin released another video on Thursday showing his fighters inside Bakhmut. Reuters geolocated the footage to the east of Bachmouth, about 1.2 miles (2 km) from the city center.
Reuters Reporting by Andrew Osborne Editing by Mark Trevelyan
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
2023-03-03 14:12:53
Source – reuters
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