According to Russian state media, the Defence Ministry has taken control of the salt-mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine...
Digital Desk: Russia has taken control of Ukraine's salt mining town Soledar after a months-long battle, as per BBC. The Kremlin referred to it as a "crucial step."
Earlier in the day, Ukraine announced that it was resisting a "high intensity" Russian offensive in Soledar. "It was hot overnight in Soledar. Hostilities continued. The enemy relocated almost all of its main forces to the Donetsk front and is maintaining a high-intensity offensive," Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said, as per AFP.
According to Russian state media, the Defence Ministry has taken control of the salt-mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine. It would also allow Russian forces to cut off Ukrainian forces from the nearby town of Bakmut, it added.
"On the evening of January 12, the liberation of the city of Soledar was completed, which is important for the continuation of successful offensive operations in Donetsk," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement, as per Al Jazeera.
Wagner, a Russian mercenary group, claimed to have led the offensive for Soledar.
Russia's assertions were not independently verified.
