Ukraine says Russian soldiers replace Wagner units in Bakhmut outskirts

Russia has replaced its Wagner private military units with regular soldiers in the outskirts of Bakhmut but the group's fighters remain inside the devastated city, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Thursday.

Her comments appeared at least partially to confirm an announcement by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin that his group had started withdrawing its forces from Bakhmut in east Ukraine and handing over its positions to regular Russian troops.