Control of Bakhmut in question as Ukraine disputes Russian victory claims

Ukraine is disputing Russia's assertion that its forces have taken full control of Bakhmut, alleging that its military is still holding onto a small area of the once-booming eastern Ukrainian city. Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, acknowledged that the situation inside the destroyed city was "critical." Still, she rejected the Wagner Group's victory claims as premature, alleging that Ukrainian forces were still engaged in combat operations against Russian troops and Wagner mercenaries. The Wagner Group is the private paramilitary organization contracted by the Kremlin to fight in the conflict....