Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, described a system of mines as 'the cherry on the cake' in the battle for Bakhmut.
90 percent of Bakhmut's residents have fled, with the 8,000 residents who remain subject to daily fire.
Musicians of Donetsk's Philharmonic Orchestra rehearse before a classical music concert in salt mines in the city of Soledar in eastern Ukraine on 6 October, 2007. The concert took place in a salt mine at a depth of 288 meters before an audience of 350 people.
The Soledar salt mine also contain sculptures carved from salt, a chapel and displays of mining tools. Prigozhin said stockpiles of weapons had been stored underground in Bakhmut since World War I and that Bakhmut is considered to be a"serious logistics center."
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.
Soledar shelled 106 times in 'fierce' battle over Bakhmut mines: UkraineIncreased fighting follows Russian calls for a temporary ceasefire last week for Orthodox Christmas festivities.
Read more »
Ukraine bolsters defenses in the east as Russia sends waves of attacksUkraine says it has strengthened its defenses in the country's east and is repelling constant attacks by Russian mercenary group Wagner, whose leader has vowed to capture the area’s vast underground mines.
Read more »
Wagner Group chief using war to exploit natural resources by Bakhmut—ISWYevgeny Prigozhin has said capturing the nearby Donetsk city of Soledar would be the 'the cherry on the cake.'
Read more »
Ukraine war live updates: Bakhmut 'holding out against all odds,' Zelenskyy says; Russia backs banning maps disputing official 'territorial integrity'President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the 'bloodiest places' in Ukraine are around Bakhmut and Soledar, where heavy fighting continues.
Read more »
Ukraine war live updates: Missile attack on village market kills two women; Russia rejects claim it's looking for a peace dealPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the 'bloodiest places' in Ukraine are around Bakhmut and Soledar, where heavy fighting continues.
Read more »
Shelling of Bakhmut killed civilians despite Putin's Christmas Truce—KyivUkraine had rejected the Russian president's call for a temporary ceasefire over the Orthodox Christmas period.
Read more »