Ukraine denies Russia’s taking Bakhmut but says ‘situation is critical’
Ukraine denies Russia’s taking Bakhmut but says ‘situation is critical’

Ukraine has denied claims by Russia that it has taken full control of Bakhmut but warned the situation in the key battle town is “critical”.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s defence minister, pushed back on the claim by Yevgeny Prigozhin that his Wagner Group of mercenaries had seized the town around lunchtime.

“Heavy fighting in Bakhmut. The situation is critical,” she said on the Telegram messaging app, as reported by The Independent.

“As of now, our defenders control some industrial and infrastructure facilities in the area and the private sector.”