Russia Replaces Regular Forces with Wagner Units in Bakhmut

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar indicated on Thursday that Russia has replaced regular army troops with Wagner Group units in the outskirts of Bakhmut, although Wagner fighters remain inside the devastated city. Maliar wrote on Telegram, stating: "In the suburbs of Bakhmut, the enemy has replaced regular army forces with Wagner units... Wagner fighters are still in the city itself." She added: "Russia is also reinforcing its positions around Bakhmut and shelling Ukrainian forces in an attempt to halt their advance to the north and south of the city." Earlier today, the founder of the Russian Wagner military group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced that "the group has begun to withdraw from the city of Bakhmut and has handed over its positions there to regular Russian forces."