Russian official: Capture of key Donbass city ‘days away’

The battle for Artyomovsk may soon end in Moscow’s favor, local authorities and media believe Russia appears set to take full control of the Donbass city of Artyomovsk, which Ukraine calls Bakhmut, according to officials, media reports and the boss of the private military company Wagner Group. “Wagner is pushing forward for real, day and night,” acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin told RIA Novosti on Thursday. He acknowledged that the situation remained tense and that the Ukrainian military was sending reserves into battle, but described the full capture of the city by Russia as “potentially very close.”