The chairman of the executive of the self-proclaimed Republic of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, displayed himself in Soledar, a city which Moscow claimed to have captured more than a week ago, and which kyiv has so far not acknowledged the loss.
The separatists also announced on Monday January 23 the capture of two villages, Krasnopolivka and Dvouretchié, located near Soledar.
Speaking on Russian television on Monday, the day after his trip to Soledar, Denis Pouchiline confirmed that "
the city is destroyed
" and that there were "
almost whole buildings
left ".
fierce battle
According to the Russian army, the conquest of this city is a step to encircle Bakhmout, which Moscow has been trying to conquer since the summer and where the two sides are engaged in a fierce battle.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: these Wagner fighters, conscripted in prison and treated as heroes on their return
According to Denis Pushilin, the fighting is “
intensifying
” there, and the Russian troops are “
advancing
”.
He claimed that units of the paramilitary group Wagner now controlled strategic heights nearby.
"
The situation remains quite difficult, but our units are advancing almost everywhere
," he said, noting a "
massive transfer
" of Ukrainian troops towards Bakhmout.
Sunday evening, Denis Pouchiline had broadcast a video showing him, according to him in Soledar, in the middle of buildings with blackened facades and blown windows.
"
We had to understand whether there was a need to deploy humanitarian aid points
there," he said.
According to him, "
there are very few inhabitants left
" in this city of some 11,000 souls before the war, located north of Bakhmout.
Ukraine did not recognize the loss of Soledar
The capture of Soledar had been announced on January 13 by the Russian army, which, unusually, recognized the determining role of Wagner's mercenaries in this battle.
The leader of the paramilitary group, Evguéni Prigojine, had already appeared alongside his men in a video, shot according to him inside the famous salt mines of the city.
Ukraine has so far not officially acknowledged the loss of Soledar, saying it continues to fight in its western part.
Monday, January 23 again, the regional administration noted "
active hostilities near Bakhmout and Soledar
", without detailing.
"
Wagner's men who accompanied us on the trip told us how bloody the battles were here
," said Denis Pouchiline.
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