If true, this unhinges the entire Ukrainian defensive line in Donbas, opening the way to the larger cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Wagner is claiming that they have captured the town, and that 4-500 Ukie troops are trapped in the city center. There have been surrenders, videos are just starting to hit Tele.
Russian mercenary firm claims strategic Ukrainian town of Soledar, control unclear
Russia’s capture of Soledar and its huge salt mines would have symbolic, military and commercial value for Russia.t.co/V46qxTJhLS
— The Kathmandu Post (@kathmandupost) January 11, 2023
With Soledar now pretty much taken by Russia, Bakhmut is near certain to fall. This makes Siversk untenable for Ukraine and opens up Sloviansk. Sloviansk isn't really defensible due to being flanked by hills/defilade death. Ukraine Donbass hold is breaking. pic.twitter.com/Io0trnckFh
— The Dark Troll (@Lying_Troll) January 11, 2023
From Masno on Tele:
“ Evgeny Prigozhin on the situation in Soledar at 00:00 Moscow time on January 11, 2023: “The divisions of PMC Wagner took control of the entire territory of Soledar. A cauldron has been formed in the center of the city, in which urban battles are being fought. The number of prisoners will be announced tomorrow. Once again I want to emphasize that no units participated in the assault on Soledar, except for the fighters of the Wagner PMC.”
Soledar and Bakhmut/Artemvosk are literally the most heavily fortified cities in the world. The Ukies have spent 8 years building bunkers and entrenchments there, using them to bombard Donetsk since 2014.
Wagner troops in the Soledar Salt Mine:
Prigozhin: Wagner units have taken control of the entire territory of Soledar.
“Once again I want to emphasize that no units other than Wagner PMC fighters took part in the assault on Soledar – Prigozhin pic.twitter.com/1lQh3AIFGd
— Natalia Gabriella Dominica (@Natalia96058112) January 11, 2023
Additional images of Prigozhin with his conscripts somewhere under Soledar in the salt mine. pic.twitter.com/UYi55uYNFL
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 11, 2023
Even the NAFO dweebs are admitting it now….
Most of the Heavy Fighting in Soledar has moved West of the Salt Mines with Ukrainian Holding Units attempting to set up Defensive Positions on the Mokra Plotva River near the T0513 Highway. t.co/j3OMdKVQwb
— 🇺🇦🐱🖤 nafo.uk/@rogue_corq 🏳️🌈🐱🇺🇦 (@rogue_corq) January 11, 2023
🧵RU Army forces advanced in a pocket movement and took control of the clinic and salt mine 4 inside Soledar, thus surrounding a number of Ukrainian soldiers in the city center , while the rest of the Ukrainian army retreated to the suburb of Dvorichia and to the south — Suriyak. pic.twitter.com/c13sgDCuDa
— Francesco Comito (@FrancescComito) January 11, 2023
h/t Flying Elvii