Russia’s Wagner chief ‘pulling his forces out of Bakhmut’ over weapons row with Putin’s government

An advisor to Ukraine’s defence minister tells The Independent that announcement is ‘extraordinary’ and ‘hysterical’

The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has dramatically announced his intention to withdraw his troops from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, in a row over support from Vladimir Putin’s government.

The group, founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin – a Putin ally – has been spearheading Russia’s attempt to capture Bakhmut since last summer, in the longest and bloodiest battle of the war in Ukraine so far.

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