News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Ukraine said on Thursday that its troops were fighting to retain the hold over Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region but cautioned it was coming up against difficult resistance from Russian forces.
The capturing of the industrial region of Donetsk is the primary objective of the Kremlin following nearly one year of fighting that has seen its troops capitulate on larger goals like occupying the capital.
Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar said that the heaviest and fiercest fighting is continuing today in Soledar. The Ukrainian soldiers are fighting bravely despite the difficult situations.
Russian mercenary group Wagner claimed earlier this week its troops had seized Soledar, but the Ministry of Defense in Moscow said fighting was still underway and Ukraine denied any full takeover.
Losses on both sides in difficult fight
Both sides have suffered heavy losses in a difficult fight for Soledar and the adjacent larger town of Bakhmut, also key to Russia’s gola to wrest all of Donetsk away from Ukraine.
On Thursday, the Kremlin appreciated the “heroic” work by Russian forces fighting in Soledar and in other battlefields. Its spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the forces has done huge work in Soledar and other many places but more good work is needed.
Moscow announced a major military reshuffle on Wednesday, bringing Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to lead its operations in Ukraine.
A Moscow-based defense analyst, who requested not to be named, told AFP that giving an army chief of Ukraine’s operation was an unprecedented decision, showing very serious problems on the war field.
