Russian Wagner Group leader claims capture of Soledar by his forces
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the small town of Soledar remains under Russian control, with both sides engaging in intense military engagements. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Soledar has been largely destroyed, and the area surrounding it is covered with the remains of invading forces [1].
Russian forces have reportedly taken significant losses in the battle for Soledar, and Ukrainian forces have managed to gain "added time and stamina" in their defense [2]. The town's strategic importance lies in its proximity to Bakhmut, a city that Russia has been attempting to take since the summer. If confirmed, the capture of Soledar would mark Moscow's first significant battlefield success since last summer [3].
The involvement of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner mercenaries in the Soledar offensive is not explicitly confirmed in the latest open-source details. However, given Wagner's historical role in capturing Soledar in past years and their influence in Donetsk operations, they are likely to have a significant impact on the broader Russian military presence in the region [4].
Ukrainian forces are reinforcing and mining key front line areas between Soledar and Chasov Yar to prevent further Russian penetration and defend the northern Donbas defense lines [5]. Russia maintains control of Soledar, using it as a headquarters base targeted by Ukrainian strikes, indicating ongoing contested conflict over this town [6].
The fighting has focused on entry points to the 200km-long disused salt mine tunnels which run beneath the area. Both sides are likely concerned that these tunnels could be used for infiltration behind their lines [7].
As for Bakhmut, the town has become one of Moscow's major goals, with a pre-war population of 70,000 but reduced to ruins after months of intense fighting [8]. Despite enhanced pressure on Bakhmut, Russia is not expected to capture the town imminently, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense [9].
The capture of Soledar by Yevgeny Prigozhin's forces, as claimed by Prigozhin himself, has yet to be officially confirmed [10]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has praised the "heroic" defenders of Soledar but has offered no update on the military situation [11].
The fall of Soledar and the ongoing battle for Bakhmut hold symbolic value for both sides. For Kyiv, the robust defense of Bakhmut symbolizes Ukraine's resilience in the face of Russian aggression. For Moscow, the capture of Bakhmut would mark a significant step towards securing control of the eastern Donetsk region [12].
The conflict in Soledar and Bakhmut continues to unfold, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. As the world watches, the fate of these towns hangs in the balance.
Sources:
- BBC News
- Reuters
- The Washington Post
- The Guardian
- CNN
- AP News
- Al Jazeera
- CBS News
- The New York Times
- Bloomberg
- The Associated Press
- NPR
The ongoing debates regarding the European-leagues and Premier-league continue amongst sports enthusiasts, yet the same intensity is seen in the battle for Soledar, where both Ukrainian and Russian forces express strong opinions about their strategies and victories. The reported capture of Soledar by Yevgeny Prigozhin's forces, if confirmed, could mark a significant business advantage for Russia in their approach towards Bakhmut, a city of strategic importance. The defense of Bakhmut by Ukrainian forces symbolizes their resilience against Russian aggression, much like the determination shown by football teams in crucial matches or negotiations in the world of business.
