Volodymyr Nazarenko, a commander of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut, says there had been no order to retreat and 'the defense is holding' in grim conditions.
KYIV, Ukraine – The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force warned that Russia’s position around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut was in peril unless his troops got ammunition, the latest sign of tension between the Kremlin and the private militia chief.
“For now, we are trying to figure out the reason: is it just ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal,” Prigozhin, referring to the absence of ammunition, said in his press service Telegram channel on Sunday. “If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse,” Prigozhin said. “The situation will not be sweet for all military formations protecting Russian interests.”A Russian victory in Bakhmut, with a pre-war population of about 70,000, would give it the first major prize in a costly winter offensive, after it called up hundreds of thousands of reservists last year.
Ukraine’s military said late on Sunday said Russian forces were attempting to advance on Bakhmut, shelling the city and nearby settlements of Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Kurdyumivka and Orikhovo-Vasylivka. Further south, it said Russian forces made preparations for an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, shelling dozens of towns and villages including the city of Kherson, causing civilian casualties.
Military analyst Zhdanov said two “Cossack” Russian units known as Steppe and Tiger had expressed dissatisfaction with their commanders and refused to take part in any new offensive on the hilltop town.Russian Defense Minister Shoigu paid a rare visit to his forces in Ukraine on the weekend, awarding medals and meeting commanders.
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