Ukrainian President Zelensky denies Bakhmut lost to Russia | World News

president Volodymyr Zelensky Denies Bachmut fell into russianshis spokesman said on Sunday, while acknowledging that there is “nothing left” of the razed city after its longest war.

A day after President Vladimir Putin congratulated his army and Wagner, the private mercenary group that claimed to have captured the symbolic target, Zelensky suggested in a lengthy and emotional reply that it was a big deal for Moscow. It would be a costly victory.

“You have to understand that Bachmut has nothing,” he said, as he sat next to US President Joe Biden G7 Hiroshima SummitJapan.

“today, Bachmut Exists only in our hearts. “

Zelensky’s spokesman had to clarify that Ukrainian president did not confirm Bakhmut’s loss russian army.

“The president denies arresting Bahmut,” spokesman Sergey Nikiforov said on Facebook.

Bakhmut’s loss against Ukrainiansgiven the city’s lack of strategic importance in the wider war, he has held out for months, ignoring behind-the-scenes U.S. advice to focus elsewhere.

When asked “Is Bakhmut still in Ukrainian hands? The Russians say they took Bakhmut,” Zelensky did not give a clear answer.

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“There is nothing in this place…just ruins and many dead Russians,” he told reporters.

The Russian military’s announcement on Saturday came hours after Kyiv Said the fighting was continuing, while acknowledging the situation was “critical”.

Bakhmut, a once salt mining town of 70,000 people, has been the scene of the longest and bloodiest fighting during Moscow’s more than year-long Ukrainian offensive.

The Fall of Bahmut Moscow and Kyiv It is thought to have suffered a huge loss and would hand Moscow a crucial victory after a string of humiliating defeats.

It would also come ahead of a massive counteroffensive that Kiev has been preparing for months. Zelensky himself warned that the loss of the city would open the way for Russian forces to seize more of the Donbas region.

“As a result of the offensive operations of Wagner’s assault forces, supported by artillery and aviation of the ‘South’ forces, the liberation of the city of Artemovsk has been completed,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said, using the Soviet-era name Bakhmut.

“vladimir putin congratulations commando Wagner and all servicemen of all units russian armed forces A statement from the Kremlin quoted by TASS news agency said it provided them with the necessary support and flanking cover after the operation to liberate the city was completed.

– Ruin Background –

Wagner’s boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had earlier posted a video on Telegram with the ruins in the background, claiming that Bakhmut had been shot down by his mercenaries.

“Bahmut was fully occupied around noon today, May 20,” Prigozhin said, adding that Wagner fighters would search the city before handing it over to Russian troops.

“By May 25, we will thoroughly inspect (Bahmut), build the necessary lines of defense and hand them over to the military,” Prigozhin said.

Gunfire can be heard in the background of Prigozhin’s video.

Ukraine, which this month claimed success in and around Bakhmut, said on Saturday the fight was not over.

“Fierce fighting at Bahmut. The situation is critical,” Deputy Defense Minister Gannar Malial said in a Telegram post.

She said Ukrainian troops were “on guard” in the city’s “aircraft zone”.

“As of now, our defenders control certain industries and infrastructure in the area,” she said.

AFP was unable to verify both claims.

Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Hiroshima summit on Saturday – another diplomatic coup a day after he attended the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia.

in Japan, bidenThe West, which has spearheaded support for Ukraine with sanctions and supplies, has announced a package of new weapons for Kiev.

The package would include “munitions, artillery, armored vehicles,” Biden said.

The Ukrainian president met not only G7 leaders in Japan, but leaders from other major international players such as non-aligned powers Brazil and India.

His diplomatic efforts have paid off, with the United States announcing on Friday that it would allow Kiev to buy F-16 fighter jets, the most advanced material the West has offered so far.

– ‘Meat grinder’ –

Meanwhile, Prigozhin continued to fight Russia’s military establishment.

“The operation to capture Bakhmut — the Bakhmut Meat Grinder — lasted 224 days,” said Prigozhin, who was wearing camouflage. He added that Moscow’s losses would have been much smaller were it not for incompetent generals.

Wagner is believed to have suffered heavy losses during the months-long siege. Prigozhin has long complained that Wagner was not given the proper amount of ammunition.

“Here (Bachmut) there is only Wagner alone,” he said in the video. “We are here to fight not only the Ukrainian military, but also the Russian bureaucracy.”

He accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov of turning the offensive into “their own entertainment”.

Both camps are now awaiting a counteroffensive announced by Ukrainian authorities. Zelensky recently said his troops needed more time before launching an attack.