(Dan Tri) – Leader of the Russian private military organization Wagner announced that Russian forces control about 70% of the city of Bakhmut, while the Ukrainian army is preparing a large-scale attack.
Ukrainian soldiers fight in Bakhmut (Photo: Reuters).
`Currently, Wagner’s units control about 70% of the Bakhmut area and continue to attack until complete control,` Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Russian private military organization Wagner, said in the letter.
`According to known information, in late March and early April, the enemy plans to start a large-scale counterattack and carry out attacks aimed at eliminating Wagner from the Russian armed forces,` the statement said.
Mr. Prigozhin asked Minister Shoigu to take all necessary measures to prevent the separation of Wagner forces from the Russian armed forces, because such a separation would `lead to negative consequences for the special military operation.`
Mr. Prigozhin noted that the secret document attached to the letter included information about the plans of Ukrainian forces and a proposal for a counterattack.
The city of Bakhmut in Donetsk province is where the fiercest battles take place in Ukraine today.
The paved roads leading to Bakhmut have been cut off or are within range of Russian artillery fire, making it difficult for Ukrainian forces here to resupply.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces would not surrender at the Bakhmut fortress and would hold out as long as possible.
Andrey Marochko, a retired lieutenant colonel of the militia of the Lugansk People’s Republic (self-proclaimed), said Ukraine was gathering forces and equipment near Bakhmut.
`We are observing a build-up of forces and vehicles in this area. President Zelensky said that they will not leave Bakhmut, and he has backed this up with real action as more and more forces
Mr. Marochko also said that Ukrainian soldiers who were trained in Western countries are now starting to come to this area to fight.
`The Ukrainian army is strengthening thanks to its Western partners,` Mr. Marochko said.
Previously, Mr. Marochko said that Ukraine had significantly strengthened its forces in areas west of Bakhmut including: Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka.