Counter-attack by Ukraine is in ‘full swing’, says Wagner chief

UKRAINE’S counter-offensive is “in full swing” around the eastern city of Bakhmut, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group said after reports of Russian losses.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said the Ukrainian operations were proving to be “unfortunately successful” as his fighters came under heavy pressure in a renewed push by Kyiv’s armed forces.

He made the claims after Volodymir Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said his forces were not ready for the widely expected counter-offensive.

He warned it would be “unacceptable” to launch the assault now because too many lives would be lost trying to expel Russian forces.

However, Mr Progozhin said Ukraine was already heavily attacking Bakhmut, which has been under siege by Russia for more than nine months.

“The situation on the flanks is developing according to the worst predicted scenario,” he said.

“All the territories that were taken with the blood and lives of our comrades over many months, advancing tens or hundreds of metres a day, are now being thrown away practically without a fight by those who should be holding our flanks.

“As for the counter-offensive, Volodymyr Zelensky is not being exactly truthful: the counter-offensive is in full swing.”

Earlier this week, Ukrainian forces recaptured territory on the south-western corner of Bakhmut as they took advantage of an apparent lapse in communication between Wagner and the Russian military.

Ukraine has formed 12 new military brigades, nine of which are equipped and trained by Nato allies, to carry out the counter-offensive.

Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of Nato’s military committee, said the alliance had been able to take risks in supplying Kyiv because Russia had significantly depleted its ground forces.