Ukrainian forces kill 80, injure 119 Wagner mercenaries retreating from Bakhmut over the past day

There were no clashes in the Bakhmut direction over the past day.

After Ukraine's firing on the Wagner troops retreating from the city, 80 mercenaries were killed, and 119 were wounded, says a spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces Serhii Cherevatyi.

In recent days, we have seen a significant decrease in fighting, there were 2-3 clashes. The enemy continues to change spots, withdrawing the Wagner group, replacing it with units of Russian airborne troops and motorized infantry. This very withdrawal has a depressing effect on those who take their place.

As a result of Ukraine's shelling, 80 occupiers were killed, 119 were wounded, one armored personnel carrier, a UAV, an anti-aircraft gun, two vehicles and five ammunition depots were destroyed, Cherevatyi said.

He emphasized that the withdrawal of the Wagner mercs was not a gesture of goodwill on their part but the result of the heroic actions of Ukrainian soldiers.

We managed to break their combat potential, we managed to destroy the Wagner criminal group, and all these bravura statements are just a latent surrender. The leader Yevhenii Prihozhyn is fleeing, leaving Bakhmut to preserve the remnants of his group, Cherevatyi said.

Answering the question of whether the Wagner group will return to their positions in the Bakhmut direction, the spokesman said that it would depend on Russia's military leadership.

It is not evident from the immediate actions, but it depends very much on the military and political leadership of their criminal state. I think the nearest time will show how the circumstances will develop there, what they will be forced to do, the spokesman emphasized.

Cherevatyi also noted that an important factor is that the best remaining Russian units were brought to Bakhmut. This shows how important this city is as a symbol.

Having suffered such a disgrace, having failed to fully take the district center within ten months, and now failing to hold it, they realize that it is too much, in addition to military losses, also reputational losses, he added.

When asked how well the units replacing Wagner are equipped, the spokesman said they are not perfect, as they have suffered losses and need some reinforcement, which is what they are doing now.

The intensity of Russian offensive actions in the Bakhmut direction has significantly decreased, while the intensity of enemy artillery shelling has not. The Russian regular army is replacing the Wagner group.

As WSJ claims, Russian forces have reached a "dead end" in Ukraine's Bakhmut.