Wagner’s group announces control of the train station north of Bakhmut

Mercenary units of the Wagner group are in full control of the Stupki railway station, north of the city of Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, Russian militias from Donetsk announced on Sunday. “The storming and clearing of the Stupki station in the northern suburb of Artiomovsk (Russian name for Bakhmut) is complete, the neighborhood is under the complete control of Wagner’s fighters”it is stated in the press release of the militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, published on Telegram.

The “release” of Stupko, who is considered key to gaining access to the center in Bakhmut, was announced by Donetsk leader Denis Pušilin a week ago. «Now (Wagner’s mercenaries) have liberated the Stupki neighborhood. If we take into account that there are fights for every house, this is an important success at the current stage »Pushilin told Russian public television.

The spokesman of the Eastern Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhiy Cherevatyi, said a day earlier that the situation in Bakhmut was difficult, but still under control. He added that Ukrainian forces will rebuild their defenses and continue to resist Russian pressure.. This news came amid reports from international analysts pointing to a possible tactical withdrawal of Ukrainian Bakhmut forces.

Russian military bloggers, on the other hand, assure that the departure of Ukrainians from the strategic city has already begun. According to Russian sources, despite the alleged withdrawal, some units of Ukrainian forces continue to resist to allow other fighters to leave the city.