Ukrainian military unit named after Boris Johnson 'is wiped out by Wagner troops'

A Ukrainian military unit named after Boris Johnson has been wiped out by Russia's Wagner troops in the besieged city of Bakhmut, the mercenary group claimed today.

A Wagner commander claimed the 24th Mechanised Brigade was defeated in intense fighting in Bakhmut, as Kremlin forces try to encircle Ukrainian troops there. 

Wagner troops posted video online showing a Ukrainian flag and trophies inside a cellar that had been used by Kyiv's forces.

On the flag, a message read: 'Boris Johnson's unit. Boris Johnson.'

The former prime minister is a hero in Ukraine for galvanising the West to support Kyiv after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion. He has been repeatedly praised by the nation's president Volodymyr Zelensky. 

Wagner claimed they found that the Ukrainian military unit had a flag with message: 'Boris Johnson's Unit' 

Former PM Boris Johnson during his visit to Kyiv in August 2022

The Wagner troops posted video showing a Ukrainian flag and trophies inside a cellar that had been used by Kyiv's forces

A Wagner commander claimed in a video: 'The Johnson unit was holding a large stronghold in the woods [in Bakhmut].'

'When they were hit, a flag like this was found,' he said, showing Mr Johnson's name on the material. 

Ukraine has not confirmed whether its 24th Mechanised Brigade, which has been fighting in Bakhmut for months, has been defeated. 

Members of the unit earlier took part in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Iraq and in international Nato command and staff exercises codenamed Peace Shield. 

Moscow's troops are continuing their relentless attacks on the small mining city in eastern Ukraine in their bid to capture it and encircle defending forces.

Bakhmut had a population of about 70,000 before the war but has been ruined after months of fighting, being the focal point of Russian assaults and Ukrainian defence.

'The enemy continues to advance in the direction of Bakhmut. He does not stop storming the city,' the Ukrainian military said in a morning briefing.

A Russian takeover would open the way to seizing the last remaining urban settlements in the industrial Donetsk province.

Zelensky, in a video address late on Tuesday, said the battle for Bakhmut was 'most difficult' but its defence was essential.

Ukrainian soldiers ride a self-propelled howitzer, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near Bakhmut on Monday

Bakhmut had a population of about 70,000 before the war but has been ruined during months of fighting as a focal point of Russian assaults and determined Ukrainian defence

'Russia in general takes no account of people and sends them in constant waves against our positions, the intensity of the fighting is only increasing,' Zelensky said.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said invading troops had driven a wedge between two villages north of Bakhmut, Berkhivka and Yahidne, in a bid to surround the city.

'This breakthrough on Bakhmut's northern flank poses a clear threat to us,' he said in comments on social media.

Although most Russian attacks were focused on Bakhmut and other towns and villages in Donetsk, the Ukrainian military said its forces had repelled 85 Russian attacks on different sections of the front line over the past day.