KYIV: Russian paramilitary force Wagner claimed to have taken control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine — a stepping stone in Moscow’s push to capture the entire Donbas region — but fighting appeared to be continuing.

WWagner said that fighting was still going on in the town centre and the Kyiv government said its troops were still holding out. From the outskirts, plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the town and the incoming artillery fires was relentless.

A victory in Soledar would have symbolic, military and commercial value for Russia after a series of battlefield setbacks in recent months.

Wagner head Yevgeny Pri­gozhin, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said: “Wagner units took control of the entire territory of Soledar. A cauldron has been formed in the centre of the city in which urban fighting is going on.”

The Kyiv government said earlier its forces were holding out. The Ukrainian military’s morning summary made one mention of Soledar, listing it as one of several towns being shelled in Donbas region.

The Russian state news agency RIA said Wagner had taken over Soledar’s salt mines following “fierce fighting”.

Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne on Wednes­day quoted Serhiy Chere­vatyi, spokesman for Ukra­ine’s eastern forces, as den­y­ing that Soledar was under Russian control.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2023