Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar in the front line near Bakhmut, in Donetsk Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 (AP)

In an interview with Sputnik, Denis Pushilin, acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, said that the situation in Bakhmut was difficult because of constant shelling by Ukrainian troops however it was under control.

"The situation is stably complicated, but controlled: the enemy regularly tries to push through the flanks and conduct shelling, often chaotic, but regular," Pushilin said.

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"We certainly don't have any illusions here either: the enemy will try at least in some part to regain lost positions or show some successes," Pushilin said.

He noted that the city was subject to shelling by artillery guns, mortars, and drones: adding that claims that Ukrainian forces have retained a presence in Bakhmut were false.

"There is not a single Ukrainian criminal there, not a single Ukrainian serviceman. The city is completely under the control of the Russian Federation," Pushilin said.

On May 20, Yevgeny Prigozhin the head of the Wagner Group private military company of the Russian Armed Forces gained full control over the city of Bakhmut.

Prigozhin announced the affair in a video in which he appeared in combat fatigues in front of a line of fighters sporting Russian flags and Wagner banners.

Later, The Kremlin press service announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to the Russian armed forces and Wagner Group private military company (PMC) for their joint efforts in liberating the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

"Vladimir Putin congratulates the Wagner assault units, as well as all the servicemen of the units of the Russian Armed Forces, who provided them with the necessary support and flank cover, on the completion of the operation to liberate Artemovsk [Bakhmut]," the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

"All distinguished individuals will be presented for state awards," the Kremlin said.