World

War in Ukraine: Russia says it took Solentar, Kyiv says battle continues

January 14, 2023
4:19 AM

Countering her announcements Moscow about their victory Russian forces and complete capture of the small town of Solentar, in the east Ukrainethe Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky insisted in his speech last night (13/1) that the fighting in the city is far from over.

“The hard fight for Donetsk continues,” Mr Zelensky said. “The battle for Bahmut and Soledar, for Kremnina, for other towns and villages in the eastern part of our country continues”. Zelensky, meanwhile, emphasized that joint efforts are being made with partners to further strengthen the Ukrainian army with new weapons that will help to deal more effectively with the invaders.

The tough battle for Donetsk region continues, the battle for Bakhmut and Soledar, for Kreminna, for other towns and villages in the east of our country continues. Although the enemy has concentrated its greatest forces in this direction, our troops – the Armed Forces of Ukraine, all defense and security forces – are defending the state. I thank every soldier, sergeant, officer of brigades and other army units who are bravely and staunchly performing their tasks! I thank the fighters of the Kraken unit for their decisive actions to destroy the enemy near Soledar! Thanks to the soldiers of the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense and the Shaman unit, who are bravely defending Bakhmut! Three hundred twenty-four days of the full-scale war, and how things have changed for Russia… They are already gnawing among themselves over who should be credited with some tactical advance. It’s a clear signal of failure for the enemy. And it’s another incentive for all of us to put more pressure on the occupier and to inflict heavier losses on the enemy. Thanks to everyone who makes it happen both on the front lines and all our other fronts. That is why today I also want to mark the employees of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. Those whose work is usually completely invisible. And about whom few people talk. But they really bring closer very important decisions of partners for Ukraine, for our defenders. Thanks for that! I thank all the personnel of the Security Service of Ukraine, whose results in the fight, in particular, against collaborators and saboteurs, society sees. Thank you for that! Thanks to everyone who works for the victory of our country! Glory to our soldiers! Glory to Ukraine!

Posted by Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Friday, January 13, 2023

His remarks followed the Russian announcement yesterday morning that Solentar had been captured after weeks of fierce hostilities, house-to-house fighting. If the announcement is true, it is the first seizure by the Russian army of a Ukrainian city since July, when it captured Lisitsansk.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov spoke of an “important” development for the continuation of the “successful offensive operation” in the Donetsk region.

According to the spokesman, the capture of Soledar allows the Russian army to encircle Bahmut, about 10 kilometers from there. Mr Konashenkov said around 700 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the fighting, without giving figures for Russian casualties.

Observers believe that the development will mainly boost the morale of the men of the Russian army, which had decreased after a series of retreats and defeats. Moscow’s forces in Ukraine have a new commander as of Wednesday, General Valery Gerasimov.

Although analysts such as those at the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) point out that this is not a turning point in the war, the entire Ukrainian defense line from Shiversk to Bakhmut is now under pressure.

Ukrainian President Zelensky earlier this week described as “propaganda” the information about the capture of Solendar by Russian forces, judging that the “terrorist state” is trying to mislead its citizens to “support the mobilization”.

Both the Russian military leadership and the mercenary company Wagner have announced that they are now in control of the city. Mr Zelensky commented that the generals and the mercenary company were fighting over who should be credited with the “success” in the field, adding that this was already a “clear indication of their failure”..

Already on Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, announced that Solentar was completely under Russian control and remained to be “cleared” by residual Ukrainian forces.

According to reports in the Western press, Mr. Prigozhin is eyeing the city’s salt mines.

The Russian Defense Ministry publicly acknowledged — in a rare occurrence — the fact that Wagner attempted Solentar, singling out the “courage” and “sacrifice” of its “volunteers” who took part in the raids.

The battle in Solentar is considered the bloodiest of the war that broke out on February 24, 2022.

Ukrainian imgs said on Wednesday that 559 citizens remained in the small, almost completely destroyed town, which had 10,000 residents before the conflict began. The Russian side says that all civilians have been removed from the city.

Source: News Beast

Bruce

Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.