Russia has not captured Bakhmut – Zelenskyy

He said this during the press conference after his address in Japan, which was broadcast by Espreso.

"I clearly understand what is happening in Bakhmut and why. The military knows how to act, how to ensure that our people are not captured. Today, the military is performing a very important task, they are in Bakhmut, and this indicates that Bakhmut has not been captured by the Russian Federation," he said.

The President's press secretary, Serhiy Nikiforov, clarified that the journalists had made a mistake in their reporting. 

He explained that President Zelenskyy's response to a journalist's question about the Russians capturing Bakhmut was a denial.

In his statement, Nikiforov quoted Zelenskyy as saying, "I think not," thereby refuting the capture of Bakhmut. The press secretary emphasized that the President had denied the city's capture.

Earlier, Reuters reported that when asked if the city was under Ukraine's control, the President responded, "I think not. Today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts. There is nothing in this place."

Journalist Christopher Miller shared that Zelenskyy's team clarified in a comment to him that the President's reference to the city being lost meant that Bakhmut had been completely destroyed.

• On May 20, the leader of the Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video claiming the complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Russian forces. In response, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Malyar, stated that intense battles are taking place in Bakhmut and the situation is critical. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are maintaining their defense in the "Litak" area.

• During the evening briefing on May 20 and the morning briefing on May 21, the General Staff discussed the ongoing battles for the city.

• At midnight on May 21, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of the city.