Russian unit fled Bakhmut, Ukrainian brigade confirms

Kyiv, May 10 (EFE).- A Russian armed forces brigade that was part of attempts to take full control of the Ukranian city of Bakhmut has deserted its position, leaving behind “500 corpses,” the Ukranian Third Assault Brigade confirmed overnight.

The news was first announced by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group that has spearheaded the assault on Bakhmut — the epicenter of fighting for the past nine months.

“It’s official. Prigozhin’s report about the escape of the 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Soviet Union from near Bakhmut and the ‘500 corpses’ of Russians who remained there is true,” said the Third Assault Brigade on its social media accounts.

In a video, Prigozhin said the Russian brigade abandoned its positions after losing “three square kilometers” in a “strategic” area in which the Russians lost 500 men.

“They simply ran away,” Prigozhin said, blaming “those who manage them and set their tasks. A fish rots from the head.”

In its message, the Third Assault Brigade claims to have killed 64 Russian fighters, and that there are Wagner casualties, five Russian soldiers taken as prisoners of war and Russian military equipment was destroyed.

Russia launched its offensive on Bakhmut in August last year. Despite controlling most of the municipality’s territory, Russian forces have still failed to completely drive the Ukrainians out of this city that they have invested considerable technical and human resources in conquering.

Ukraine has also suffered significant casualties in its defense of Bakhmut. Kyiv justifies its insistence on defending its last positions in the city on the benefits of wearing down Russian troops and preventing them from launching offensive actions on other segments of the front. EFE

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