Prigozhin says Russian MoD mined Wagner Group's escape routes from Bakhmut

This was reported by the press service of Yevgeny Prigozhin. 

“Shortly before the withdrawal, we detected suspicious activity on our advance routes. We called the law enforcement agencies and found about a dozen places where dozens of explosive devices ranging from hundreds of anti-tank mines to tons of plastid were placed. All of this was in control,” the statement says. 

It is noted that these shells were laid by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“When asked why they were doing this, they pointed upwards. There was no need to lay these mines to deter the enemy because they are in the rear zone. Therefore, it can be assumed that they wanted to meet the Wagner PMC forces with these mines,” the press service says. 

According to him, an investigation is currently underway.

He also noted that as of June 2, almost 99% of the Wagner Groups' mercenaries had left Bakhmut. Instead, now only representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry are allegedly there.

What is currently happening in Bakhmut? 

On May 20, the leader of the Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video with a statement about the alleged complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by the Russian forces. 

On May 25, the terrorist announced the beginning of the withdrawal of his units from Bakhmut.

According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, as of the evening of May 31, the outskirts of Bakhmut in the southwestern part of the city remain under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also control the entrance to the city.

According to Maliar, the enemy's offensive activity in the Bakhmut sector has stopped, but the occupying Russian troops have increased the number of artillery attacks.