Russian Mercenary Group Wagner Claims To Management Ukraine’s Soledar

Moscow:

The pinnacle of Russia’s mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, mentioned early Wednesday his fighters had taken management of Ukraine’s metropolis of Soledar after intense combating this week, however some “city battles” continued.

“Wagner items have taken management of the entire territory of Soledar,” Prigozhin mentioned by his press service on social media, including that there was combating within the centre of town.

The extent of Wagner’s management over town was unclear and AFP was not capable of confirm the declare.

The Kremlin-linked businessman mentioned the “variety of captives” will likely be introduced Wednesday.

Ukraine has mentioned its military was holding out in Soledar, a salt mining city within the Donetsk area round 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Bakhmut, which Russia has been attempting to grab for months.

Each side have mentioned battles for Soledar have been bloody and intense.

Prigozhin revealed a photograph of himself in army uniform surrounded by posing Wagner fighters, however didn’t say the place it was taken.

Russian state information company RIA Novosti revealed one other {photograph} of Prigozhin with armed fighters, saying it had been taken within the salt mines of Soledar.

Prigozhin has mentioned that Soledar has been taken over “solely” by Wagner items.

His and Wagner’s affect in Russia has risen considerably for the reason that Kremlin despatched troops to Ukraine in February final yr.

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