 A Ukrainian Army brigade on Friday released video of its soldiers fighting to defend the eastern city of Bakhmut. The 93rd Mechanized Brigade, Kaladnyi Yar, were shown firing mortars at Russian positions. The video shows partially destroyed residential buildings and soldiers operating the mortar from a dugout position in the backyard of an apartment block. The battle for Bakhmut has symbolic importance for both Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine still holding onto some parts of the city after months of fierce fighting against regular Russian troops and the Wagner mercenary force. Yevgeny Prigazin, leader of Wagner Group, said in a sudden and dramatic announcement on Friday that his forces would pull out of Bakhmut that they have been trying in vain to capture since last summer. Prigazin said they would withdraw on May 10, because of heavy losses and inadequate ammunition supplies. The announcement comes at a key juncture in the war, with Ukraine expected to launch a long-anticipated counter-offensive imminently.