 A Ukrainian defence minister said on May 5 Russia was diverting Wagner mercenaries to Bachmet in eastern Ukraine with the aim of capturing the city to coincide with May 9 victory celebrations. May 9 is a highly significant day for Moscow and President Vladimir Putin, marking the anniversary of its victory over the Nazis in 1945. The televised comments by Deputy Defence Minister Hannah Malier came hours after a dramatic announcement by Wagner's leader, who said his forces would pull out of Bachmet on May 10 because of heavy losses and inadequate ammunition supplies. Malier said Wagner forces from other areas of fighting were heading to Bachmet where Ukrainian forces were defending against Russian assaults and also attacking Russian positions. In the coming weeks Ukraine is expected to launch a major counter-offensive to push back Russian forces in the east and south. The Russians are inclined towards symbolism and their key historic myth is May 9 and they really have set the objective of taking control of Bachmet by this date, Malier said. The Russian military force, led by Evgeny Prigizin, has spearheaded Russia's months-long assault on the Donbas region's city of Bachmet where bloody fighting has been dubbed the meatgrinder.