According to its boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian mercenary group Wagner continues to suffer losses in the fighting in Ukraine. In a video released today by his press office, Prigozhin can be seen in a cemetery where Wagner’s fighters are buried. “Yes, (the cemetery) is growing. Those who fight sometimes die,” he says.
“Wagner’s fighters are still buried here and there is no problem with that to this day,” added Prigozhin in the video. Wagner’s forces are leading offensives in eastern Ukraine around the city of Bakhmut, where the longest and bloodiest battles of the Russian military campaign are taking place. Both sides suffered heavy casualties there.
Prigozhin estimated that the city could be conquered “in three to four weeks”. Just a few days ago, Prigozhin had claimed that Bakhmut had been captured.
Russian authorities have not released new estimates of dead soldiers since September 2022, when the Ministry of Defense counted 5,937 dead. However, this number does not include Wagner fighters who are not part of the regular army. Estimates from Western countries suggest around 150,000 killed and wounded on each side.