The founder and head of the Russian mercenary organization Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a video message posted online today that his forces control more than 80% of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Bakhmut, a small town in Ukraine’s Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine, has been the target of a large-scale Russian offensive for months. The city, which before the Russian invasion that began 14 months ago had about 70,000 residents, is the scene of heavy fighting. Due to the long duration of the conflict and heavy casualties on both sides, the city has become a symbol of the battle between Russians and Ukrainians for control of the industrial region of Donbass.

Russian troops have advanced in recent months north and south of Bakhmut, cutting off several Ukrainian supply routes and occupying its eastern part. In recent days, they appear to be moving toward the center, fueling renewed speculation of an imminent Ukrainian retreat.

Yesterday, the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces said that Russian troops are adopting “scorched earth” tactics in Bakhmut and are destroying buildings and positions with airstrikes and artillery fire.

Last Friday, the Ukrainian government said Moscow was focusing all its efforts on capturing Bakhmut, where the situation is according to Kiev “difficult”, but its troops are holding out despite the numerical superiority of Russian forces.