Moscow, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) Russian forces today took control of the Zaliznyanskoye settlement and are expanding the encirclement of Artiomovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the head of the Wagner military company, Evgueni Prigozhin, said.

‘Wagner assault detachments are expanding the encirclement of Artiomovsk (Bakhmut for Ukrainians), after they liberated the small locality of Zaliznianskoye on Wednesday,’ Prigozhin reported on his Telegram channel.

Artiomovsk is located in the part of the Donetsk People’s Republic controlled by Kiev and is an important transport center for supplying Ukrainian troops in Donbas.

Over this important communications junction fierce battles have been raging since the summer of last year. On March 11, Prigozhin reported that Russian forces were 1.2 km from the administrative center of Artiomovsk, dominating all the surrounding heights.

In the city there are, according to intelligence estimates, between 10,000 and 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers, who are in danger of being encircled by Russian units.

  • @Shrike502
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    11 year ago

    battle around Bakhmut is by all means a “wagner operation” with the russian army acting as support

    And that’s supposed to be something positive? Just listen to how it sounds. A privately owned mercenary gang is fighting a battle and killing people by itself. While official, state military is “providing support”, like some truck subcontractor.

    On top of that, being a pmc

    Which are still illegal under Russian law, btw

    Wagner doesn’t have to abide by the same standards of life conservation the national army is expected to adhere to.

    Again, how the hell is that supposed to be a plus?

    Look, we have all read history. We know how these gamblings with mercenaries work out. Just ask Italian city states and signor Sforza.

    • @Navaryn
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      11 year ago

      Never said it was a good thing

      Never said pmcs are legal in russia

      Never said that their wasteful attitude towards human life is good

      I was just trying to explain what’s going on and what justifies their presence in the eyes of Putin.

      I seriously don’t get what you’re on about