'There is nothing left': Ukrainian President Zelenskyy appears to confirm Bakhmut's fall to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday confirmed the fall of the key eastern city of Bakhmut to the Russians.

When asked whether Russians have captured the city of Bakhmut or not, Zelenskyy said, “You have to understand there is nothing left. For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts.”

The Russian military claimed on Saturday that it has successfully captured the much-contested eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group led the all-out offensive in the city. Earlier in the day, Prigozhin said that his troops had finally pushed the Ukrainians out of the last built-up area inside the city.

BREAKING: Wagner Group chief claims his forces have taken control of Bakhmut pic.twitter.com/GSMfgpnq8l

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 20, 2023

Bakhmut’s capture would translate into the first major victory for Russia in the 10-month-long conflict.

The Russian defence ministry said in a statement, “As a result of offensive actions by Wagner assault units, supported by artillery and aviation of the Southern Group of Forces, the liberation of Artyomovsk has been completed.”

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Wagern group and the national army for the victory.

“Vladimir Putin congratulated the assault units of Wagner as well as all servicemen of units of the Russian armed forces who provided them with the necessary support and flank cover, on the completion of the operation to liberate Artemovsk (the Soviet-era name for Bakhmut),” TASS agency quoted the Kremlin saying.

Prigozhin said in a video statement, “Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken. We completely took the whole city, from house to house.”

The claims come a week after Prigozhin threatened to pull out his troops from Bakhmut unless the group was provided with arms and ammunition.

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.