Russian private army claims control of Bakhmut amidst Ukraine's denial.

The head of the Russian private army Wagner claimed that his forces have taken control of the city of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian defense officials denied it, saying heavy fighting was continuing. The battle for Bakhmut has been ongoing for over eight months, and if Russian forces have taken control, they will still face the massive task of seizing the remaining part of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control. Both Russia and Ukraine have endured losses believed to be in the thousands, though neither has disclosed casualty numbers.