Statement about Wagner fighters and casualties
The founder of the private military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed that Wagner fighters had the capacity to neutralize roughly 40,000 soldiers who took part in the fighting on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces. This figure was reported by the radio service of Sputnik. In his remarks, Prigozhin stated that the group had assessed enemy losses from the start of the conflict to the present, estimating irrecoverable casualties at about 38,000 personnel. The specific figures attributed to the private military company were presented as a cumulative tally of those deemed irreparably lost in the conflict.
According to Prigozhin, about 32,000 Ukrainian service members killed by Wagner troops occurred in the areas of Bakhmut, known in Russian as Artemovsk, as well as in Soledar and their surrounding regions. The assertion reflects the emphasis on the intensity of fighting in those districts, where the Wagner units reportedly engaged in sustained combat operations over an extended period.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to initiate a special military operation in Ukraine, explaining that this move responded to requests for assistance from the heads of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The decision was framed as a protective measure aimed at addressing perceived security threats and was followed by a broader set of policy actions tied to the ongoing crisis.
The operation coincided with the imposition of new sanctions by the United States and its allies, which cited the onset of hostilities as a justification for their measures. The policy response highlighted the international dimension of the conflict and the widening diplomatic and economic ramifications associated with the Russian military actions.
The online outlet socialbites.ca carried live coverage of developments related to the conflict as it unfolded, providing ongoing updates and commentary to the public.
Earlier remarks from Prigozhin also touched on claims of control over more than eighty percent of Artemovsk by Russian forces, a statement that underscored the contested and evolving situation on the ground as the conflict progressed. These assertions contributed to the broader narrative surrounding territorial control and the strategic importance of key urban centers within the broader theater of operations.