Yevgeny PrigozhinThe Wagner group Chief and ally of the Russian President Wladimir Putinsaid Tuesday that his troops had taken control of over 80% of the country Bachmuta Ukrainian city is located in the eastern part of the war-torn nation.

What happened: Prigozhin said his were private mercenaries proceed with their encirclement of Bakhmut. “In Bakhmut, the larger part, more than 80% is now under our control, including the entire administrative center, factories, warehouses, city administration,” he said in a video posted by a Russian military blog.

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Ukraine did not directly deny the claims but said its armed forces did steadfast against violent attacks in a former town of 70,000 inhabitants. Senior Ukrainian military officials said their army was keeping Russian forces at bay, Reuters reported.

Spokesman of the Eastern Military Command of Ukraine Serhi Cherevatyi said the situation in Bakhmut is under control. He said Kyiv would not allow his troops to be encircled.

According to the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna MalyarBakhmut “took the main hit,” but Russian forces “generally lose to us in street battles, so they just destroy all the buildings and structures.”

Why it matters: Wagner Group, which played an important role in Russian advances in eastern Ukraine has been trying to take over Bakhmut for several months.

The eastern city has seen intense fighting, with both sides using trenches and constant artillery bombardments.

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