Posted on 01/11/2023 6:47:54 AM PST by marcusmaximus
Russia's defence ministry says its forces are taking part in the battle for Soledar, a town north of Bakhmut in east Ukraine which has been the focus of recent fighting.
It comes after the head of Russia's notoriously brutal Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed his fighters were in full control there and boasted that only his troops took part.
Mr Prigozhin will most likely use any victory to bolster the reputation of Wagner as an effective fighting force in the eyes of President Putin.
But the Russian defence ministry appeared to contradict the controversial oligarch's claims.
Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in the military's daily update that: "Soledar has been blockaded from the north and the south by units of the Russian Airborne Forces.
"The Russian Air Force is carrying out strikes on enemy strongholds. Assault troops are taking part in battles inside the town." There was no mention of Wagner forces.
Ukraine's defence ministry also said on Wednesday that heavy fighting continues, and Wagner forces have had no success in breaking through its defences.
If Soledar falls, it will be a boost to Mr Prigozhin. In a statement released on Tuesday night, he boasted that "no other units took part in the storming of Soledar apart from Wagner".
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Bonus Video:
PMC Wagner unit completely wiped out just south of the salt mine in central Soledar.
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1612896177460072448
A longer video from the same event from a different angle. The Wagner unit was followed a drone.
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1613149565557035009
Prigozhin Jas no military background. He gained Putin’s trust as his personal caterer. Reports are Putin really loved his sausage (not a euphemism).
Russia: Yes, lets capture Soledar, cause we already captured Bahkmut weeks ago!!!
Putin isn’t very smart. Someone needs to tell him that prisoners don’t make good soldiers.
The power struggles continue for those who wish to control Russia’s military.
Putin no doubt loves the competition; someone smart will start some infighting.
He has prison experience and Putin finds it valuable. In 1980 he was sentenced to 12 and sat 9 years in prison for being a head of a small organized crime gang.
so no bonus then...
You have to wonder at what point the Russian soldiers, who are being sent to Ukraine to fight and die for absolutely nothing that benefits them (including getting paid), just say enough is enough and do a mass desertion . . .
INCOMING - Western Propaganda. 🙄
Breaking right now: Putin just demoted Surovikin and put Gerasimov back in charge of the Russian military operation. Pure comedy!
This was pretty much the first indication that Russia has an Air Force in months.
If the Russians really were fighting NATO we would hear about B52 strikes. Where are the Russian heavy bombers?
LOL
A rift between Russian forces but...The Ukrainian forces are dying and will continue to. Ukraine is getting its ass kicked.
Everything is collapsing for Ukraine in Donetsk. The Ukrainian invaders soon no longer will be able to persecute and murder the civilian population there any longer.
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