A soldier from the Wagner Group private military company confirmed to Sputnik on Monday that the group has advanced into the western outskirts of Bakhmut, also known as Artyomovsk. 

"Three days ago, we advanced behind the railway to a nine-story building, we have cleared it and are now moving westward. There are nine-story buildings in front of us, the last ones that remain in the western part of Bakhmut," the soldier stated, adding that the conflict was heavy as a result of lack of shelter for the troops.

The nine-story buildings have been occupied by Ukrainian forces for advantageous defense positions. 

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Earlier, the Spanish newspaper Mundo cited sources that only several brigades in Bakhmut have been left by Ukrainian forces and the rest of the forces have retreated from the city. 

Bakhmut, which is situated north of Donetsk, holds strategic significance for the course of the war. The city has long been the transportation route of food and supplies for the Ukrainian troops stationed in Donbas. 

In early February, Prigozhin, Wagner's chief announced that the town of Mykolaivka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) had been taken under control. Earlier, Ukraine reported that Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on the country, As Moscow-backed forces advanced in Bakhmut.

On January 26, the US Treasury announced that the US has designated the Wagner Group a transnational criminal organization. 

On his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged to defend "fortress Bakhmut" for as long as possible, calling on allies to intensify their support to help his troops do so.