Russian Mercenary Group Wagner Threatens to Withdraw from Bakhmut Amid Reinforcements and Blame Game

Russia's Wagner Group, the main mercenary group, plans to withdraw from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut due to lack of ammunition, but Ukraine claims the fighters are reinforcing positions to try to seize it before Russia marks World War Two Victory Day next week. The battle for Bakhmut has been the most intense of the conflict, costing thousands of lives on both sides in months of grinding warfare. Ukraine is preparing for a counter-offensive backed by thousands of Western-donated armoured vehicles and freshly trained troops.