Prigozhin called premature talk about the “cauldron” in Artemovsk

It is too early to talk about the formation of a boiler for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (APU) in Artemivsk (Ukrainian name – Bakhmut), they are in the operational environment, said the founder of PMC Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin.

“It’s too early to talk about the formation of a boiler for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Artemovsk, as before they are in the so-called “operational encirclement”, when the roads are shot through. But there is no boiler. Therefore, there are heavy battles, – leads Prigozhin’s words are his press service in the Telegram channel.

Formerly adviser to the acting head of the DPR, Yan Gagin declaredthat the fighters of PMC “Wagner” went to the road Artemovsk – Chasov Yar, along which the supply of the Armed Forces group was going. “Several hundred meters have been taken under control, which makes it impossible to supply the garrison [ВСУ]. Thus, the lid of the boiler, in fact, slammed shut,” he said.

Acting Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin promised to work with his advisers after the “reckless statements” about the situation in Artemovsk. He stressed that the situation in the city remains tense, Russian forces are advancing, but now “it is still premature to speak as a fait accompli about the boiler.”

April 19 at the Russian Ministry of Defense reportedthat the Airborne Forces units blocked Artemovsk from the northern and southern outskirts. Prior to that, in the defense department reportedthat the assault detachments took three more quarters in the northern, central and southern parts of Artemovsk. April 17 Ministry of Defense reported about taking control of two quarters in the northwest and in the central part of the city. On April 16, the department informed about the capture of two quarters in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Artemovsk by the Wagner assault detachments.

April 18 Gagin declaredthat about 90% of Artemovsk are under the control of PMC “Wagner”. Formerly Prigozhin saidthat the detachments control more than 80% of the city. At the same time, it is too early to talk about the complete encirclement of Artemovsk, he specified.

The military operation of Russia in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took full control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia, and on October 19 martial law was introduced in the regions.