Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Monday that Ukrainian forces had captured part of the settlement of Berkhivka north of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, calling it a “disgrace” for the Russian army, Reuters reported.

Wagner’s group of mercenaries, funded by Prigozhin, captured Bakhmut last month after the longest battle of the war and surrendered their positions there to Russian regular troops. Ukrainian forces continued to attack areas near the city.

“Now part of Berkhivka village has already been lost, the troops are quietly fleeing. Shame!” Prigozhin said in an audio message released by his press service.

He called on Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to come to the front to mobilize troops.

“Come on, you can!” he said. “And if you can’t, you’ll die like heroes.”

Prigozhin has been publicly feuding with Shoigu and Gerasimov for many months, often accusing them of failing to provide enough ammunition and support for Wagner at the front, which unnecessarily caused heavy casualties among the paramilitary.

The most terrible general of Ukraine says that he is attacking Bakhmut

The commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Monday morning that Ukrainian forces continue to “advance” near Bakhmut, Reuters reports.

Syrskyi said that the Ukrainian forces managed to destroy the positions of the Russians near the city.

“We continue to move forward,” wrote Sirsky in his Telegram channel.