<p>The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group said Thursday his forces had started transferring their positions in the flashpoint eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut to the Russian military.</p>.<p>"We are withdrawing units from Bakhmut today," Yevgeny Prigozhin, shown in full combat gear, said in a video released on social media.</p>.<p>"We are handing over positions to the military, ammunition and everything," said the 61-year-old ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/russia-terrorising-ukraine-zelenskyy-on-drone-attack-1221800.html" target="_blank">Russia 'terrorising' Ukraine: Zelenskyy on drone attack</a></strong></p>.<p>He was shown speaking to several members of Wagner who told him their military hardware had to be repaired.</p>.<p>Prigozhin added that said some Wagner forces could remain if regular Russian troops encountered difficulties.</p>.<p>Wagner's forces have been leading the all-out, months-long assault for Bakhmut.</p>.<p>Both Wagner and the Russian army said over the weekend that Bakhmut had fallen, but Ukraine has said its troops continue to fight for the devastated city.</p>.<p>Prigozhin said Wednesday that around 10,000 prisoners he recruited to fight in Ukraine had been killed on the battlefield in the pro-Western country.</p>.<p>Last year, Prigozhin toured Russian prisons in a bid to convince inmates to fight with Wagner in Ukraine, in exchange for a promised amnesty upon their return if they survived.</p>
<p>The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group said Thursday his forces had started transferring their positions in the flashpoint eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut to the Russian military.</p>.<p>"We are withdrawing units from Bakhmut today," Yevgeny Prigozhin, shown in full combat gear, said in a video released on social media.</p>.<p>"We are handing over positions to the military, ammunition and everything," said the 61-year-old ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/russia-terrorising-ukraine-zelenskyy-on-drone-attack-1221800.html" target="_blank">Russia 'terrorising' Ukraine: Zelenskyy on drone attack</a></strong></p>.<p>He was shown speaking to several members of Wagner who told him their military hardware had to be repaired.</p>.<p>Prigozhin added that said some Wagner forces could remain if regular Russian troops encountered difficulties.</p>.<p>Wagner's forces have been leading the all-out, months-long assault for Bakhmut.</p>.<p>Both Wagner and the Russian army said over the weekend that Bakhmut had fallen, but Ukraine has said its troops continue to fight for the devastated city.</p>.<p>Prigozhin said Wednesday that around 10,000 prisoners he recruited to fight in Ukraine had been killed on the battlefield in the pro-Western country.</p>.<p>Last year, Prigozhin toured Russian prisons in a bid to convince inmates to fight with Wagner in Ukraine, in exchange for a promised amnesty upon their return if they survived.</p>