Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

White House spokesman John Kirby said that more than 30,000 mercenaries, who were fighting under the Wagner Group, have lost their lives or have been injured since Russia waged war against Ukraine.&nbsp;Kirby added that significant losses have been borne by the group in recent weeks, with around 9,000 fighters losing their lives in action. He added that people were heavily recruited by Wagner from Russian prisons and the most casualties were untrained convicts.

Even after so many casualties, Wagner claims to have made gains near the city of Bakhmut. Around the city, the troops have engaged in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, with Wagner mercenaries getting heavily engaged in efforts of Russia to capture the city, as per media reports.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/village-near-bakhmut-captured-claims-wagner-chief-563249">Village near Bakhmut captured, claims Wagner chief</a>

Ukrainian troops claim that Russia has been sending Wagner fighters in large numbers to attack and an army spokesperson of Ukraine shared that Moscow did not evacuate the dead and wounded soldiers, because of which they had "places where their bodies are just piled up".

Kirby said further advances by Russia can prove difficult considering that the gains made by it&nbsp;in Bakhmut came at a "devastating cost that is not sustainable” and took months to achieve. The city's military significance was also questioned by Kirby.

"It is possible that they may end up being successful in Bakhmut, but it will prove of no real worth to them because it is of no real strategic value," he said.

WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Wagner Group says, 'Two years till Donetsk capture'

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According to the estimates of UK intelligence officials, the Russian regular forces along with the Wagner troops may have suffered around 175,000-200,000 casualties, which includes 40,000-60,000 deaths.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. White House spokesman John Kirby said that more than 30,000 mercenaries, who were fighting under the Wagner Group, have lost their lives or have been injured since Russia waged war against Ukraine. Kirby added that significant losses have been borne by the group in recent weeks, with around 9,000 fighters losing their lives in action. He added that people were heavily recruited by Wagner from Russian prisons and the most casualties were untrained convicts. Even after so many casualties, Wagner claims to have made gains near the city of Bakhmut. Around the city, the troops have engaged in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, with Wagner mercenaries getting heavily engaged in efforts of Russia to capture the city, as per media reports. ALSO READ | Village near Bakhmut captured, claims Wagner chief Ukrainian troops claim that Russia has been sending Wagner fighters in large numbers to attack and an army spokesperson of Ukraine shared that Moscow did not evacuate the dead and wounded soldiers, because of which they had "places where their bodies are just piled up". Kirby said further advances by Russia can prove difficult considering that the gains made by it in Bakhmut came at a "devastating cost that is not sustainable” and took months to achieve. The city's military significance was also questioned by Kirby. "It is possible that they may end up being successful in Bakhmut, but it will prove of no real worth to them because it is of no real strategic value," he said. WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Wagner Group says, 'Two years till Donetsk capture' According to the estimates of UK intelligence officials, the Russian regular forces along with the Wagner troops may have suffered around 175,000-200,000 casualties, which includes 40,000-60,000 deaths. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

More than 30,000 Wagner fighters died or suffered injuries in Ukraine war, claims US

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

A senior official in eastern Ukraine said in a television interview that Ukrainian forces struck a headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, leaving several of them dead. According to Western experts, Wagner are reported to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work to extend the interests of the Kremlin.&nbsp;

Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, said the hotel where the group met in Kadiivka, Luhansk, suffered major losses following the attack. However, there is no official confirmation on the presence of the Wagner at the hotel.&nbsp;

Photos posted on Telegram channels showed a building largely reduced to rubble.

"They had a little pop there, just where Wagner headquarters was located. A huge number of those who were there died," he said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-strikes-hit-russian-occupied-regions-two-killed-and-several-injured-542055">Missiles strike Russian-occupied regions, two killed and several injured</a>

Haidai said the attack has led to Russia suffering "significant losses". "I am sure that at least 50 per cent&nbsp;of those who managed to survive will die before they get medical care," he said. "This is because even in our Luhansk region, they have stolen equipment."

The private military company has been repeatedly accused of carrying out war crimes and human rights abuses. Notably, the group was set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former restaurateur and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wagner units have previously been deployed in Crimea, Syria, Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic.

Meanwhile, fighting between the two countries raged over the weekend. While Russia hit Odesa, Ukraine bombarded a target in the occupied city of Melitopol.&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address late on Saturday that more than 1.5 million people in the southern Odesa region were without power after Russian drone strikes hit two energy facilities. The Ukrainian army is said to have shot down 10 drones in the same attack.

The port of Odesa also was not operating on Sunday, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky said, but added that grains traders were not expected to suspend exports.

In Melitopol, a Ukrainian missile attack killed two people and injured 10, pro-Moscow authorities said. A Moscow-installed official shared pictures showing a big fire following the strike.

"Air defence systems destroyed two missiles, four reached their targets," Yevgeny Balitsky said on the Telegram messaging app.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. A senior official in eastern Ukraine said in a television interview that Ukrainian forces struck a headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, leaving several of them dead. According to Western experts, Wagner are reported to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work to extend the interests of the Kremlin. Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, said the hotel where the group met in Kadiivka, Luhansk, suffered major losses following the attack. However, there is no official confirmation on the presence of the Wagner at the hotel. Photos posted on Telegram channels showed a building largely reduced to rubble. "They had a little pop there, just where Wagner headquarters was located. A huge number of those who were there died," he said. Also Read | Missiles strike Russian-occupied regions, two killed and several injured Haidai said the attack has led to Russia suffering "significant losses". "I am sure that at least 50 per cent of those who managed to survive will die before they get medical care," he said. "This is because even in our Luhansk region, they have stolen equipment." The private military company has been repeatedly accused of carrying out war crimes and human rights abuses. Notably, the group was set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former restaurateur and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wagner units have previously been deployed in Crimea, Syria, Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic. Meanwhile, fighting between the two countries raged over the weekend. While Russia hit Odesa, Ukraine bombarded a target in the occupied city of Melitopol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address late on Saturday that more than 1.5 million people in the southern Odesa region were without power after Russian drone strikes hit two energy facilities. The Ukrainian army is said to have shot down 10 drones in the same attack. The port of Odesa also was not operating on Sunday, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky said, but added that grains traders were not expected to suspend exports. In Melitopol, a Ukrainian missile attack killed two people and injured 10, pro-Moscow authorities said. A Moscow-installed official shared pictures showing a big fire following the strike. "Air defence systems destroyed two missiles, four reached their targets," Yevgeny Balitsky said on the Telegram messaging app. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine hits hotel housing Wagner military group, Ukrainian regional official claims

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More than 30,000 Wagner fighters died or suffered injuries in Ukraine war, claims US

Ukraine hits hotel housing Wagner military group, Ukrainian regional official claims