Zelensky Defiant as Russia Claims Capture of Bakhmut

Ukrainian President Zelensky has denied that Bakhmut is occupied by Russia, after a Moscow-backed mercenary group claimed control. During a visit to Hiroshima, Zelensky compared the city to Bakhmut, promising a similar "reconstruction" of his country. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin had earlier claimed victory in Bakhmut. Analysts say that Bakhmut is of little strategic value to Moscow, but its capture would be a symbolic victory for Russia after the longest battle of the war in Ukraine so far. The war in Ukraine has dominated the three-day summit of G7 leaders in Japan, with Zelensky meeting with several world leaders to lobby for more support.