Zelensky spoke of the complete destruction of Bakhmut at the G7 summit

Russia actually destroyed the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in an attempt to take it over. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Journalists asked Zelenskiy about Bakhmut’s condition and the likely capture of the city by Russia. In response, Zelensky said: “I think not, but you have to understand that there is nothing left. They destroyed everything. There is not a single building there. It’s a great tragedy, but today Bakhmut only exists in our hearts.”

A number of media interpreted the words of the Ukrainian president as recognition of the loss of the city. The press secretary of the Ukrainian president, Serhiy Nikiforov, explained that the phrase “I don’t think so” refers to the issue of the capture of the city by Russian troops.

“As for the answer of the President of Ukraine to questions about Bakhmut. Reporter’s question: “The Russians said they took Bakhmut.” The President’s response: “I don’t think so.” Thus, the president denied the capture of Bakhmut, ”Noted Nikiforov.

FT correspondent Christopher Miller released a video of Zelensky’s responses and confirmed that the president’s team did not confirm Russian control of the city. Kiev assures that Ukraine has not lost control over recent quarters, which it has been exercising for several months. However, Zelensky said that the city is lost in the sense of complete destruction.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops together with mercenaries from the Wagner group had taken control of the city of Bakhmut.

Bakhmut, which is located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, has been the site of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops for many months. Russia controls about half of the region, the annexation of which it announced in the fall of 2022.