The head of Russia’s Wagner private military company has claimed that its fighters, who have used ruthless tactics to try to advance in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, have captured the village of Klishchiivka, a Ukrainian stronghold southwest of the key city of Bakhmut.

The loss of the village could imperil Ukraine’s ability to hold onto Bakhmut by severing supply lines to the city.

Bakhmut has been a focal point of Russian attacks over the recent months as Russia continues its push to capture all of the Donbas areas of eastern Ukraine. The city has also become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials about the status of Klishchiivka.

Klishchiivka, a small village south of Bakhmut, has been the site of intense fighting in recent weeks. Ukrainian forces had deemed it key to the defence of Bakhmut because it lies on the high ground directly east of roads into the city that are heavily used by the Ukrainian military.

“The Russians are pushing everywhere,” said Mongo, a soldier fighting for Ukraine stationed in Bakhmut who asked to be identified by his military call sign.

Russia’s campaign to take Bakhmut has come at an enormous cost in casualties. But with signs that Russia has advanced to the north in Soledar — a small salt-mining town that Russia claims to have captured, though Ukraine says it is still fighting there — and the loss of Klishchiivka to the south, Ukraine’s ability to keep control of Bakhmut looks increasingly shaky.

Ukrainian officials estimate that there are more than 20,000 Russian soldiers around Bakhmut, including Wagner fighters and Russia’s elite airborne units.

From Klishchiivka, Russian artillery would be able to more accurately shell Ukrainian forces entering or exiting Bakhmut.

New York Times News Service