Prigozhin: Commander of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense ‘presumably’ killed near Bakhmut

Wagner Group founder Evgeny Prigozhin says that Wagner artillery detachments destroyed an armored vehicle near Bakhmut. Ihor Tantsyura, commander of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense, was reportedly in the car.

“We’re verifying the information at present,” said Prigozhin in an audio recording released by his press service.

Prigozhin spokespeople released a screenshot showing a wrecked armored car.

Denis Zelinsky, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense, denies that Tansyra was killed by artillery fire. “We officially refute this claim. We don’t comment on any enemy propaganda. Everyone is alive and well,” said Zelinsky in an interview with the television network Suspilne.

Major General Ihor Tantsyura has headed Ukraine’s Territorial Defense for nearly a year, beginning May 15, 2022.