Russia Claims Again To Have Full Control Of Soledar

The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed for a second day in a row to have full control of the city of Soledar in the Donetsk oblast of eastern Ukraine. Says that the taking of Soledar is a "crucial step for further successful offensive actions" and that it will allow Russia to cut off Ukrainian troops in the nearby city of Bakhmut.

• Kyiv has maintained that Soledar is still being fought over, but the Washington D.C.,-based Institute for the Study of War think tank has stated that Russia probably controls 'most if not all' of Soledar.
• Securing Soledar is seen to have come at great cost to Russia in terms of troops and equipment. However, the city has a substantial salt mine, which the forces of the Russian army and Wagner mercenary group could use for storage of material and barracks for troops ahead of an assault on Bakhmut.