Russia tries to take the eastern city of Soledar 2:23
(CNN) --
As Ukrainian authorities say "fierce battles" continue in Soledar, a key city in eastern Ukraine, satellite images show just how much destruction has been inflicted on the area since the summer.
Russian forces are "suffering heavy losses" in their attempt to take Soledar, according to Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Mailar.
On Tuesday, the Wagner mercenary group claimed it had taken full control of the city, but Ukraine refutes that claim.
Russian forces have fought hard to take Soledar, but more battles remain, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
More than 500 civilians remain in Soledar, according to Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk regional military administration.
Why is Russia so interested in capturing the city of Soledar?
Here's a look at the before and after satellite images of the city:
A satellite view shows a school and buildings, in southern Soledar, Ukraine, on Aug. 1, 2022. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
A satellite view shows a destroyed school and buildings in southern Soledar, Ukraine, on January 10, 2023. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
A satellite view shows apartment buildings and homes in Soledar, Ukraine, on Aug. 1, 2022. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
A satellite view shows destroyed apartment buildings and homes, in Soledar, Ukraine, on January 10, 2023. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
Why Russia wants to capture Soledar
: The Russian military has had nothing to celebrate since early July, having to withdraw from both Kharkiv to the north and Kherson to the south of Ukraine.
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The capture of Soledar, despite its now dilapidated state, would therefore be a rare development.
But it would be more symbolic than substantive.
The Institute for the Study of War claims that control of Soledar "will not necessarily allow Russian forces to exercise control over critical Ukrainian land lines of communication to Bakhmut," the top prize.
Conflict Russia - Ukraine War in Ukraine Soledar
