© HS/Pertti Jarla. |
According to Reuters founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has repeatedly accused Russia's top military brass of not doing enough to back his men, asked the defence ministry to do all it could to protect Bakhmut's flanks after what he alleged was a withdrawal.
"Unfortunately, units of the Russian Defence Ministry have withdrawn up to 570 metres to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks,"
Prigozhin said in a voice message.
"I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence - publicly - because my letters are not being read,"
Prigozhin said.
Wagner forces have been spearheading the assault on Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the war, you know, something Moscow calls "a special military operation," with some support from the regular army in recent months.