According to Reuters, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary outfit, stated on Saturday that Wagner forces had taken the town of Yahidne, north of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Reuters was unable to independently authenticate Prigozhin's assertion, which he made in a brief audio clip.
After six months of severe battle, Ukrainian soldiers were claimed to have blown up a bridge near Bakhmut this month in an apparent hint of withdrawal, a move that would provide a big boost to Russia. Ukraine has denied it wants to abandon Bakhmut.