Russia's mercenary Wagner Group claims to have taken control of the salt mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine
The head of Russia's mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said early his fighters had taken control of Ukraine's city of Soledar after intense fighting this week, but some"urban battles" continued.
"Wagner units have taken control of the whole territory of Soledar," Mr Prigozhin said through his press service on social media, adding that there was fighting in the centre of the city.The Kremlin-linked businessman said the"number of captives" will be announced later today. Ukraine has said its army was holding out in Soledar, a salt mining town in the Donetsk region around 15km from Bakhmut, which Russia has been trying to seize for months. Russian news agency RIA released a picture of Wagner's head, Prigozhin in the salt mines under #Soledar pic.twitter.com/GPUAgxwg74
— Michael A. Horowitz January 11, 2023 Mr Prigozhin published a photo of himself in military uniform surrounded by posing Wagner fighters, but did not say where it was taken. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published another photograph of Mr Prigozhin with armed fighters, saying it had been taken in the salt mines of Soledar.His and Wagner's influence in Russia has risen significantly since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February last year.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine-Russia war: Fierce fighting in Soledar leaves battlefield ‘strewn with corpses’No walls left standing in Donbas salt mining town amid waves of attacks led by Wagner militia, says Zelenskiy
Read more »
Russia pushes to capture Ukraine's SoledarRussian troops have stepped up an assault on the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian troops to repel waves of attacks led by mercenary forces, officials in Kyiv have said.
Read more »
Ukrainian forces in Soledar facing waves of assaultsUkrainian forces are facing waves of assaults by Russian forces on the small salt-mining town of Soledar, Kyiv officials said, as Moscow strives to make its first breakthrough in the east in months.
Read more »
Ukraine denies Russian claim it killed 600 soldiers in missile strikesThe Russian defence ministry said missiles hit two temporary bases housing 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers in Kramatorsk in the easter Donetsk region.
Read more »
Varadkar invited to Ukraine by Zelensky during callUkrainian forces are facing waves of assaults by Russian forces on the small salt-mining town of Soledar, Kyiv officials said, as Russia strives to make its first breakthrough in the east in months.
Read more »
West pledges more support for Ukraine amid fierce fight for Donetsk townsGerman foreign minister visits Kharkiv as Kremlin says West is ‘indirect party’ to war
Read more »