Ukraine denies the fall of Bakhmut, compares its destruction to Hiroshima

Kyiv: Ukrainian officials on Sunday denied that its key city Bakhmut has fallen to Russian troops. They added that Ukrainian troops are advancing around the suburbs and making it very difficult for Russia to stay in the city.

The salt-mining town once had a population of 70,000.

After a long battle, the private mercenary group Wagner claimed that it had taken the city in eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the troops on the supposed victory. A dramatic video of Wagner soldiers walking over rubbles with the Russian and Wagner flags was posted on social media.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan when he said: "You have to understand there is nothing there in Bakhmut. For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts." Later, his spokesperson Sergiy Nykyforov clarified that the President was not confirming the loss of Bakhmut to Moscow. "The president denied the capture of Bakhmut."

Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said Kyiv's forces are still in control of a residential area and some industrial facilities. "Ukrainian troops have semi-encircled the city. The advance of our troops in the suburbs on the flanks, which is still ongoing, makes it very difficult for the enemy to be in Bakhmut."

Speaking at G7, Zelensky said: "The photos of Hiroshima remind me of Bakhmut. There is absolutely nothing alive. All the buildings are destroyed. Absolute total destruction. There is nothing. There are no people. Now, Hiroshima is rebuilt. We dream of rebuilding all our cities that are now in ruins and every village where not a single house is left after Russian strikes."