Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary force, speaks in Paraskoviivka © Thomson Reuters
Reuters: Russian mercenary chief says Ukraine's Bakhmut is practically surrounded
(Reuters) -Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary force, said in a video published on Friday that the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut was "practically surrounded" by his forces and that Kyiv's forces had only one road left out.
Prigozhin's men have spearheaded the assault in eastern Ukraine for months.
Moscow regards Bakhmut, which it calls by its Soviet-era name of Artyomovsk, as a useful stepping stone to seize bigger cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Prigozhin, wearing a military uniform in the video, called on Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy to withdraw his forces from the small city.
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WNU Editor: The military experts are trust tell me that Russia has now attained fire-control over all roads leading in and out of Bakhmut. I do not know how many Ukrainian soldiers are left in Bakhmut, but it looks like they are going to experience the same fate that Ukrainian soldiers faced in Mariupol. A siege that will go on for the next month or two before there is a mass surrender.
Russia's Wagner Leader Says Ukraine's Bakhmut Is Practically Surrounded
Ukraine updates: Russia's forces surround Bakhmut -- DW
Wagner Boss Trots Out Terrified Ukrainians to Deliver Grim Message -- Daily Beast
Ukraine's Bakhmut 'Practically Surrounded,' Wagner Leader Prigozhin Says -- Moscow Times
Ukraine war: Bakhmut 'practically surrounded', claims Russian paramilitary Wagner group -- Euronews
Wagner chief calls on Zelenskiy to abandon ‘encircled’ Bakhmut -- The Guardian
Russians pound access routes to Ukraine's besieged Bakhmut -- Reuters