Russia tries to seize Ukraine’s salt mine town

Picture source - Reuters

Russian troops have intensified their assaults and tried to seize the small salt mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian troops to fend off waves of mercenary attacks.

Britain’s defence ministry said that following advances over the past four days it was likely that Russian and the Wagner contract group soldiers now controlled the majority of the industrial Donbas town.

“Russia’s Soledar axis is highly likely an effort to envelop Bakhmut from the north, and to disrupt Ukrainian lines of communication,” Britain minister said.

Journalist Yuriy Butusov, who infiltrated with Ukrainian troops in Soledar, said that Russian forces had taken control of the primary Ukrainian supply route into the town.

He added, “This is not a complete encirclement, but normal supply along the route is impossible, (and) this is critical for defence.”

Earlier in a video speech on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Bakhmut and Soledar were still alive despite extensive destruction.

He recalled recent ferocious attacks in Soledar where no fortifications were left intact and the ground was covered in Russian bodies.

Zelensky said, “Thanks to the resilience of our soldiers in Soledar, we have won for Ukraine additional time and additional strength.”

According to media reports, The Donbas region, which consists of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Bakhmut is connected by a vital supply route. Russia might be able to advance on two larger cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk if it takes control of them.