Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, has issued a statement saying that his soldiers will kill enemy soldiers and take no prisoners in the conflict in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

This statement came in response to an alleged recording posted by a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel, which purported to show two Ukrainian soldiers discussing the execution of a Russian prisoner of war.

The authenticity of the recording cannot be verified. Prigozhin's statement, which was made in an audio recording on Sunday, indicates a harshening of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Wagner is a private military company that has been linked to Russia's government, and it has been involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and other countries.

The group has been accused of fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, providing military and logistical support, and training separatist fighters.

The Russian government denies any involvement with Wagner and maintains that its soldiers are not participating in the Ukraine conflict.

However, there is evidence that suggests otherwise, and Wagner's involvement in the conflict has been widely reported in the media. (ILKHA)