Russia Claims Victory in Bakhmut; "Nothing Left," says Zelensky

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced Saturday that the operation to establish control over Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in occupied Ukraine has been completed.
"As a result of the offensive operations of the Wagner assault detachments, with the support of artillery and aviation of the Southern Group of Forces, the liberation of the city of Artemovsk has been completed in the Artyomovsk tactical direction," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Over the past day, Russian pilots made six sorties near the city and 69 fire missions were completed.
Also, in the area of ​​​​the settlement of Krasnoe, Russian troops managed to destroy the road bridge, along which reinforcements of Ukrainian forces were being transferred to Artemovsk, the MoD's TV channel, Tvzvezda reported.

Zelensky says "nothing left" of Bakhmut
President Zelensky said on Sunday there is “nothing left” of Bakhmut and the city exists “only in our hearts,” a day after Russian forces claimed the capture of the long-besieged city.
In comments were made at the G7 summit in Japan when Zelensky was asked if Ukrainian forces were holding on or if Russia had captured the city, he said: "I think no," Zelensky said, adding "you have to understand there is nothing" there. "For today, Bakhmut is only inIn our hearts," kyivpost reported.

Presidential spokesperson clarifies Zelensky statement
Initially his comments were seen as confirmation that the city had fallen but Zelensky's spokesman later denied the Ukrainian president had confirmed the fall of Bakhmut, simply saying: "The president denied the capture of Bakhmut."