The Russian military is struggling to take control of Soledar. For this, the enemy throws very, very many fighters. And although the invaders are already boasting of “victories”, they can only be called Pyrrhic.
As noted at the Institute for the Study of War, the probable “capture” of Soledar by Russian soldiers on January 11 is an unimportant event in operational terms. Moreover, it is by no means identical with Bakhmut's entourage.
The occupiers could advance in Soledar
We will immediately make a reservation that there has been no official information that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have moved away from Soledar. The compilers of the report analyzed publicly available data for its conclusion. And, starting from them, they express their assumption.
The geolocation footage released on January 11 and 12 suggests that the Russians likely control part or even all of Soledar, according to the report's sources. And that they, apparently, managed to push the Ukrainian forces out of the western outskirts of the settlement.
Analysts also paid attention to the summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After all, there was no mention in it that the Defense Forces repelled attacks near Soledar on January 12th. At the same time, earlier reports focused on this.
The invaders boast of “victories”
It is clear that Russian sources are already vying to claim that they are clearing Soledar from the rest of the Ukrainian forces. Moreover, on January 12, milbloggers published footage in which the Wagnerites roam freely around Soledar.
At the same time, it is worth noting that the Russian Ministry of Defense did not report that the Russian military had captured Soledar. On the other hand, Kremlin Speaker Dmitry Peskov congratulated the fighters of the aggressor country on their successful actions in the village of Donetsk region.
All this, the Institute noted, shows that the Ukrainian military no longer supports organized defense in Soledar. As for Zelensky's statement on January 12 about maintaining positions in the city, the compilers of the report assume that positions near it are meant.
The situation in Soledar is complicated
It should be understood that the fighting is still ongoing. The General Staff did not announce that the Ukrainian military had retreated from the city. The struggle continues, and with it the destruction of the enemy.
It is extremely difficult now for the prisoners fighting in the Wagner PMC. They were literally surrounded. For on the one hand they are driven by professional mercenaries, who themselves do not risk dying on the outskirts of the city. On the other hand, they are “greeted” by armed Ukrainian soldiers.
Recall that on the afternoon of January 12, during a briefing, Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar noted that the approaches to Soledar were literally littered with the corpses of the enemy. And those who continue to attack the settlement literally run over the bodies of those with whom they were preparing for the assault yesterday.
