Latest from Ukraine: Fighting continues in the Ukrainian city of Soledar

Solar, once known for its salt mines, is located near the city of Bakhmut, which Russian troops have been trying to conquer for months. The conquest of Solar pelas forças russas significaria uma vitória militar simbólica para Moscou, após vários reveses no terreno desde setembro.

In an interview with AFP this Wednesday (11), the advisor to the Ukrainian Presidency, Mikhailo Podoliak, stated that the fights for control of Solar and Bakhmut, in the east, are the “bloodiest” battles ever fought by Russian and Ukrainian forces since the invasion began in February 2022.

“Everything that is happening today in Bakhmut, or Soledar, is the bloodiest scenario of this war,” he said.

According to Podoliak, Russian military losses are “huge”, and “the Ukrainian Army is also losing troops”. Without mentioning Ukrainian casualties, he estimated that the Russians had lost “10.000 to 15.000 troops, perhaps more” in this area since the summer.

Kiev denial

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that there was “heavy fighting” on Wednesday (11), but no advance by Russian forces in Solar, after the Wagner mercenary group claimed control of the eastern Ukrainian city.

Shortly before, the Russian government had already shown prudence about the situation on the ground.

“There is no need to rush. Let's wait for official statements,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters, adding, however, that there is “positive momentum in the advance” of Russian forces.

The Russian Army's statements contradict those of the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who claimed control of Solar this Wednesday morning (11). He added, however, that fighting continues in the center of the small town, which had just over 10 inhabitants before the war.

The head of a Russian mercenary group fighting in Ukraine claimed on Tuesday that his fighters had seized the town of Soledar, the site of brutal combat recently, which if true would mark the first significant Russian victory after months of setbacks. https://t.co/KaKGYyMZ2N

- New York Times World (@nytimesworld) January 11, 2023

The Ukrainian Army immediately denied this information and assured that the city of Solar “was, is and always will be Ukrainian”.

Meeting in Türkiye

In the diplomatic sphere, those responsible for human rights in Russia quality Ucrania, Dmytro Lubinets and Tatiana Moskalkova met on Tuesday (10), in Turkey.

The two officials “addressed a wide range of humanitarian issues and cases related to human rights assistance to citizens of both countries,” Lubinets said on social media.

More attacks

In other parts of Ucrania, the attacks continued.

Russian bombers fell on Kharkiv, in the northeast, on Tuesday night (10), hours after a surprise visit by the head of German diplomacy, Annalena Baerbock.

The minister announced a “new package” of aid that includes 20 million euros for mine clearance and a fund to develop access to the Starlink satellite internet network.

Baerbock also said that Germany will deliver new generators for the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which is the target of systematic bombings by the Russia.

(To AFP)

War in Ukraine: everything you need to know about the conflict

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