Ukaine has refuted Russia’s assertion of complete control over Bakhmut, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation in this significant battleground.
Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s defense minister, dismissed Yevgeny Prigozhin’s claim that his Wagner Group mercenaries had seized the town during midday.
Taking to the Telegram messaging app, Maliar declared, “Heavy fighting in Bakhmut.
The situation is critical.” She further clarified that Ukrainian defenders presently maintain control over certain industrial and infrastructure facilities in the area, as well as the private sector.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky embarked on his inaugural visit to Asia since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.
Currently attending the G7 summit in Japan, the Ukrainian President aims to solidify international support.
Notably, US President Joe Biden has lent significant backing to Ukraine’s war efforts.
He informed G7 leaders of Washington’s endorsement of joint allied training programs, specifically targeting Ukrainian pilots training on F-16 fighter jets.
The Kremlin swiftly responded, cautioning Western nations against supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, emphasizing the “colossal risks” such actions could entail.
