Wagner Chief: Ukrainian Counteroffensive Has Begun Near Bakhmut

The head of the Russian private military group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, indicated today, Thursday, that Ukrainian units have begun their counteroffensive and are approaching the vicinity of Bakhmut. Prigozhin stated, "The Ukrainian operations are proving to be partially successful, unfortunately," pointing out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "was deceitful" when he said that the counteroffensive was delayed in anticipation of more aid from foreign countries. The Russian Ministry of Defense, for its part, stated that "combat groups continue their attack on the western part" of Bakhmut, adding, "Paratroopers provided support and halted the Ukrainian army units on the outskirts."