The Russian Wagner mercenary group leader has claimed that a US citizen has been killed while battling for Ukraine in Bakhmut.
Yevgeny Prigozhin shared a video on Telegram standing alongside a body, which he alleges is that of an American Special Forces veteran.
The footage, filmed at night, appears to show Prigozhin then inspecting what he claims to be the soldier’s US identification documents amid the sound of apparent heavy artillery fire.
Prigozhin says in the video:
“So we will hand him over to the United States of America, we’ll put him in a coffin, cover him with the American flag with respect because he did not die in his bed as a grandpa but he died at war and most likely a worthy [death], right?”
In the video, a Wagner mercenary claims the soldier was returning fire when he died.
“He was shooting back, he died in the battle, so we will hand over his documents tomorrow morning and pack everything, right?”
A spokesperson for the State Department said they are aware of the reports about the death of an American in Bakhmut but are unable to verify the reports due to fierce fighting there.
The spokesperson added that US citizens should not travel to Ukraine as Russian forces are singling out Americans in Ukraine.
