The Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary organization involved in the Ukrainian war in support of the Soviet army, claimed to have taken control of the town of Blahodatne, in the eastern Donetsk region, which would give Moscow forces an advantage in the battle for the Bakhmut stronghold, while Kyiv made sure to repel Russian attacks in that area.
"Wagner units have taken Blahodatne. Blahodatne is under our control," according to the head of the private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, quoted by his press service.
The news about the capture of the town by Wagner was also confirmed by some Russian war correspondents and military bloggers who highlighted the importance of the conquest for the Russian advance towards Bakhmut, the scene of fierce fighting for months.
The Ukrainian army, for its part, denied the loss of Blahodatne and stated that its forces repelled attacks in that area.
