[Vesti] The Russians advanced in some areas, but at the cost of very heavy losses
The Russians are trying to increase the intensity of the fighting in the area of Bakhmut and Soledar. Mercenaries of PMC "Wagner" announced the seizure of territory within Soledar.
This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Wagner PMC founder Yevgeny Prigozhin uses reports of the situation in Soledar to boost his company's reputation as an effective fighting force. Analysts noted that frames were “walking” on social networks, where it was clear that the “Wagnerites” were participating in the battle near the city administration building in the center of Soledar. Some Russian bloggers noted that Wagner PMC forces conduct quarterly advances in Soledar and other settlements northeast of Bakhmut and in Bakhmut itself.
The ISW recalled that on January 9, Prigozhin stressed that "exclusively" Wagner units were occupying positions in Soledar, and noted that his mercenaries were currently fighting for the city administration building. ISW analysts believe that Prigozhin is using both confirmed and fabricated successes of Wagner PMCs in Soledar and Bakhmut to promote his company as a unified Russian group in Ukraine capable of achieving success.
As journalist Yuri Butusov wrote, Soledar, where the Russian military began a powerful assault on January 9, found itself in a threatening situation. The Russians have reached a position from which they can fire on the main supply route to Soledar. The Russians cannot go out onto the road itself.
He noted that the city is not completely surrounded, but normal supply along the highway is impossible. According to the journalist, this is critical for defense. However, there are opportunities to improve the situation.
"We have significant forces concentrated in this area, we have troops, there are many people. We have equipment. The difficult situation is understandable to everyone. We need actions that will correct this situation. We need not chaotic actions, but planned ones in order to realize our advantages step by step. The tactical situation is understandable to our command, yesterday the commander of the OUV A. Syrsky was in Soledar," Butusov emphasized.
At the same time, he noted that the temperature complicates the actions of the troops. It is -18 degrees in Soledar now, and this must be taken into account. According to Butusov, this creates problems for both the Ukrainian defenders and the Russians. At this temperature, combat effectiveness is very dependent on proper supplies.
"The 46th airmobile brigade is conducting tough defensive battles for every house. Some other units are also helping them - border guards, MTRs, tankers. Close battles and skirmishes continue. The Russians have advanced in some directions today, but at the cost of very heavy losses. 46th the airmobile brigade does its best, maintains combat capability in super-heavy conditions.
"The paratroopers act exemplarily, the fighters trust the commanders, and everyone does everything possible to destroy the enemy. Russian assault groups are destroyed one after another in close combat, but they continue to attack and enter into battle reserves," he said.
Butusov believes that the main threat from the Russians is coverage from the flanks of the city.
"They will do everything possible to break through to the highway in the rear of Soledar. Fresh reserves from the airborne troops were sent to bypass Soledar, the Russian command attaches great political importance to the capture of Soledar," the journalist emphasized.
At the same time, he added that units of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade and the 46th Airmobile Brigade are operating just as effectively nearby. " Our army has both commanders and experience in order to effectively destroy the Russians and win in the most difficult conditions. We all worry about the heroes of Soledar and believe in our army, which, if properly organized, can defeat the Russian occupiers near Soledar," the journalist summed up.
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During the day, the Russians struck Soledar with artillery 86 times
The situation in the city is very difficult.
by Iryna Gamalii
Currently, the most difficult situation on the eastern front is in Soledar, Donetsk region . During the day, the enemy made 86 strikes on the city from different types of artillery.
Serhiy Cherevaty, the spokesman of the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated this on the air of the telethon.
"During the day, they hit Soledar 86 times with various types of artillery, so the situation there is very difficult now, the most difficult on the eastern front," Cherevaty said.
He added that the enemy had concentrated the best units of the "Wagner" PVK in the direction of Soledar, wanting to show at least some result. However, Russian warfare methods remain outdated and the enemy's small tactical successes are achieved through overwhelming force and heavy losses among its personnel.
Yesterday, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar announced that the enemy had launched a new powerful assault on Soledar.