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Russian forces are advancing towards the embattled city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine after capturing the nearby salt-mining town of Soledar, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

In peaceful times, Soledar was known for its massive underground salt mine, whose tunnels go on for more than 200 kilometres, stretching underneath the town itself and across the surrounding region. The largest such mine in Europe, it served not just as an economic producer but as a tourist attraction, with guided tours costing visitors a few hundred dollars. Sightseers could take in displays of mining equipment and view sculptures carved from salt, as well as visit the bar, accommodation, shops and even an underground chapel. There's also a sanatorium, which made use of the environment's year-round cool temperature and...

Ukraine reported a fresh wave of attacks on key infrastructure facilities on Saturday, a day after Russia claimed to have captured the ravaged eastern town of Soledar following a long battle. Victory in Soledar would be a rare achievement for Moscow after an embarrassing series of military setbacks — although Kyiv insisted fighting was still ongoing in the city on Saturday. Ukrainian infrastructure once again came under fire on Saturday as winter deepened, officials said. "Today, the enemy fired at energy facilities again," energy company Ukrenergo said, adding that it was working on "eliminating the consequences" of the strikes. In...

The boss of the feared Russian Wagner mercenary group has gloated to Ukraine by posing in a salt mine in a key battleground. Yevgeny Prigozhin stood defiantly alongside Vladimir Putin's private paramilitary fighters in the Soledar pit as he claimed his mercenaries have single-handedly taken control of the eastern Ukraine town, which has been razed by brutal fighting. However, the claim prompted the Russian army to issue a statement saying fighting for the town is still on-going, thus denying Prigozhin's brazen claim. The unusual contradiction from Moscow raises questions over whether the Russian president has lost control of the Wagner...

The battle for Soledar in eastern Ukraine continues to intensify, with Ukraine denying claims by the private Russian Vagner military group that it had taken control of the salt-mining town. Ukraine's Defense Ministry cited "colossal losses" by Russian forces trying to capture the town in a sustained offensive that the ministry described on January 11 as "maniacal" as the community's fate hangs in the balance. -snip- Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his forces had taken control of Soledar, which lies near another heavily contested city, Bakhmut, after Russian troops regrouped during an Orthodox Christmas pause last weekend. -snip- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov...

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...

The acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushlin, said the republic's cities of Soledar and Artemovsk were about to be liberated MOSCOW, January 11./TASS/.The city of Soledar, the scene of intense fighting in the past few days, has been under the control by units of Russia's Wagner private military company, the company's Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was quoted as saying by his press service on Tuesday night. "Units of the Wagner private military company have taken the entire territory of Soledar under their control. The city center has been surrounded, and urban warfare is underway. The number of captives...

Update from Ukraine | Ukrainian Forces will leave Soledar | Ruzzian propaganda celebrates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quBRzASo-Ug Update from Ukraine | Ukraine Attacks on Kremina and Solidar | Ruzzia lies about Ukrainian losses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikFKclarb1U Follow on Instagram up to date uploads. https://www.instagram.com/denys_pilot/ SUMMARY Military MAPS & COMMENTS here: Invasion Day 320 – https://militaryland.net/news/invasion-day-320-summary/ [Website updates https://militaryland.net/news/website-recap-december-2022/]

Russian forces have cut the main north-south highway, that was a supply link for Ukraine forces, north of Bakhmut [Ukraine]. Soledar to the north of that Russian break-through, is in danger of complete encirclement.

Update from Ukraine | Ukraine was able to drive Ruzzians away from Soledar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtqTNASGH-k Follow on Instagram up to date uploads. https://www.instagram.com/denys_pilot/ SUMMARY Military MAPS & COMMENTS here: Invasion Day 318 – https://militaryland.net/news/invasion-day-318-summary/ [Website updates https://militaryland.net/news/website-recap-december-2022/]