Russian Wagner Group leader declares capture of Soledar city in ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
Wagner Group Captures Soledar in Eastern Ukraine Amid Intense Fighting
The Eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar has been taken over by the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, following a series of fierce battles. The capture of Soledar is part of a broader campaign by Wagner to solidify Russian control in the eastern Donetsk region, despite ongoing Ukrainian resistance.
The town, known for its salt mines, has been the center of intense fighting for several days. Soledar's strategic location, approximately 15km (9 miles) from the city of Bakhmut and the larger eastern Donbas region, makes it an important target for Russia.
The capture of Soledar was the result of intense fighting, with Wagner troops using repeated assaults to gradually gain ground in eastern Ukrainian cities. The fighting was characterized by heavy artillery barrages, drone strikes, and close-quarters combat in and around the town's salt mines.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, has declared to have secured control of Soledar. However, it is important to note that Kyiv has not provided any information about the control of Soledar, and Russian forces have not fully captured the town, contrary to Russian claims.
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington, DC-based think tank, has expressed caution about the Russian claims. The think tank stated that the capture of Soledar would have symbolic, military, and industrial value for Russia, but it would come with a substantial cost.
In recent days, Ukraine has released images of alleged dead Russian soldiers, suggesting the battle for Soledar has resulted in heavy losses for both sides. The battle for Bakhmut would also come with a substantial cost, as seizing Soledar would be Russia's most substantial gain since August.
The Wagner Group has reportedly taken control of Soledar's salt mines following the fierce fighting. The number of prisoners will be announced tomorrow, according to Prigozhin. The encircled Ukrainian soldiers have been offered a deadline to surrender by midnight (22:00 GMT), according to the Wagner Group on Telegram.
It is important to note that Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not claim control of Soledar in his Tuesday evening address. Russia annexed 4 districts of Ukraine, including Donetsk, two months ago, but the situation in Soledar has not changed since Wagner's capture of it following those battles.
In conclusion, the capture of Soledar by the Wagner Group is a significant development in the ongoing conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The battle for Soledar has resulted in heavy losses for both sides, and the situation remains fluid, with ongoing Ukrainian resistance.
The intense fighting for Soledar, as seen in the current war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, is not just about controlling a small town but also a part of broader politics where Russia aims to solidify its control in the eastern Donetsk region. This development is a significant part of the general-news coverage of the ongoing conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion.
The capture of Soledar by the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, could have symbolic, military, and industrial value for Russia, but it could come with a substantial cost, as suggested by the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank.
