Kyiv, Jan 14 (Portal) – Ukrainian forces are fighting to retain control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, the regional governor said on Saturday, contradicting Russian claims that Moscow’s forces had captured the small town.
Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said the situation in the city was “difficult” and Russian troops were advancing from different directions, adding that the Russians had suffered a large number of casualties, including members of the Wagner mercenary group.
“Soledar remains under our military control, although there is street fighting and also fighting outside of the city as the enemy tries to advance in multiple directions. The enemy is suffering huge casualties,” Kyrylenko said in a video posted to the Telegram app.
Portal could not verify the Battlefield accounts.
Soledar, a small salt mining town, has been the focus of a Russian attack for days.
Kyrylenko’s comments came after Russia repeatedly said its forces had taken control of the city. Ukraine has repeatedly denied the takeover.
Kyrylenko said the front was under constant fire and the Ukrainian military command was working to “stabilize the situation, reduce casualties and save the lives of our boys.”
He said Soledar, which had a population of about 10,000 before the war, had about 550 residents left.
Military experts said Soledar itself is of little strategic importance but has gained political importance as part of Moscow’s goal of seizing the Donetsk region.
Reporting by Olena Harmash Edited by Helen Popper
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