The founder of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, argued that discussing a complete encirclement of Bakhmut is premature because Ukrainian forces reportedly continue to withdraw toward the city. An audio recording of Prigozhin’s remarks appeared on Concord media group’s Telegram channel, which bills itself as the entrepreneur’s press service.
Media outlet representatives reached out to Prigozhin for a comment. Jan Gagin, an adviser to the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, stated that Ukrainian troops are effectively blocked in Bakhmut and cannot retreat or receive reinforcements.
Prigozhin asserted that the ongoing, intense fighting has not yet allowed for a definitive siege to be declared. He claimed that more than eighty percent of Bakhmut is under Wagner’s control, while the remaining portions have continued to offer resistance.
Official statements from the former Ministry of Defense indicated that Wagner units had seized three city blocks in the Artemovsk region, underscoring the contested and fluid nature of the battlefield situation. Analysts note that battlefield reports from this area often reflect rapid developments and shifting front lines, with multiple sources providing varying assessments of control and momentum. (source attributions follow, without linking)