‘It was a joke’: Russia’s Prigozhin denies suspending artillery fire in Bakhmut

On Thursday, the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary organization acknowledged he was joking when he said his men would cease artillery fire in Bakhmut to allow Ukrainian soldiers on the other side of the battlefield to show U.S. journalists the city.

Wagner has led Russia’s assault on Bakhmut since last summer in the war’s longest and bloodiest fight, but Ukrainian forces have repelled its advances.

Wagner’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stated in an audio message issued Thursday by his press service: “A decision has been taken to suspend artillery fire so that American journalists can safely film Bakhmut and go home.”

“Guys, this is military humour,” Prigozhin stated in a later audio message. Humor only… A joke.”

Prigozhin, who has publicly criticized Russia’s military for its war in Ukraine, is known for his confrontational, down-to-earth attitude and sardonic sense of humor.

Prigozhin stated last month that his fighters were “blown away” by ammunition deliveries after years complaining about shortages.