Prigozhin estimated the number of Ukrainian soldiers in Artemovsk

Now in Artemovsk (Ukrainian name – Bakhmut) there are from 12,000 to 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers. This was announced by the founder of PMC “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin.

“In Bakhmut, according to various estimates, there are from 12,000 to 20,000 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the press service quoted him as saying.

Prigozhin stressed that “heavy battles are going on for Artemovsk, but the Ukrainians are not running anywhere.” He also noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have enough ammunition and weapons, and urged them to stop considering the enemy a coward. According to Prigozhin, the Ukrainian military “die en masse” outside the city and surrender “only as a last resort.”

He stated that the PMC “Wagner” is still experiencing a shortage of ammunition, military equipment, weapons and transport. Prigozhin specified that the sapper shovels arrived “almost a month later.”

The founder of Wagner PMC also confirmed the estimate of the number of Ukrainian military dead for February, which was given earlier today by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. According to Prigozhin, Wagner killed “about 11,000 people” in the previous month.

During a conference call with the leadership of the RF Armed Forces, Shoigu informedthat in February the enemy lost over 11,000 people, which is 40% more than in January. Commenting on the battles for Artemovsk, the minister declaredthat the capture of the city will allow the Russian army “to carry out further offensive operations deep into the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Fighting near Artemovsk in the DPR has been going on for several months. In mid-February, Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the acting head of the DPR, spoke about taking all the heights in the vicinity of Artemovsk. At the end of the month he informed about the fighting almost in the center of the city. Earlier today in the DPR declaredthat Russian forces control almost half of Artemovsk.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky declaredthat the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not defend the city “at any cost.” March 1 “strategic retreat” of the Ukrainian army from Artemovsk allowed Advisor to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on economic issues Oleksandr Rodnyansky. However, on March 6, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny and Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky supported continuation of defensive battles in the city.