Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin reports completion of an operation in Artemovsk
The curator of the PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stated that the mission carried out by the group in the Ukrainian city of Artemovsk, also known as Bakhmut, in the Donetsk People’s Republic, has reached its conclusion. The remarks were conveyed through the press office of the organization via its telegraph channel.
According to Prigozhin, the operation, humorously nicknamed the Bakhmut meat grinder, was planned not to seize the city but to exhaust the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to carve out a pause for the Russian forces to regain combat effectiveness and restock capabilities.
He asserted that the meat grinder had fulfilled its purpose to a high degree. After the Wagner fighters withdraw from Artemovsk, the plan is to move the troops to training camps. There they will maintain readiness and participate in additional drills to enhance the capabilities of the units. The personnel are expected to stay in these camps until the threat to Russian territory and citizens, connected with this operation, has been eliminated.
Prigozhin emphasized that Wagner would respond decisively if any danger to the Fatherland arises, pledging to stand in defense of Russia when necessary.
Earlier statements from Prigozhin indicated negotiations with representatives linked to the Chechen leadership, led by Ramzan Kadyrov, regarding the transfer of positions in Bakhmut. He noted plans for the units of Wagner to complete their current combat assignments by May 10 and transition control of the area to Akhmat forces. Previously, Prigozhin had mentioned the possibility that Wagner might depart Bakhmut due to concerns about depleted ammunition and elevated losses among personnel.