Advances in the village of Soledar
London: Russians make headway at Bachmut
01/10/2023 09:57 am
Russian troops have been attacking the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut for months. Now they are making progress further north in the town of Soledar, according to the assessment of the British Ministry of Defence. Above all, there is a fight over access to the salt mine tunnels – these are important for both sides.
According to British estimates, Russian forces are making slight progress in the fighting for the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut. Regular troops and units of the Wagner mercenary group have made tactical advances into the small town of Soledar, ten kilometers to the north, over the past four days and probably controlled most of the town, the British Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence briefing.
Bachmut remains the primary target of the Russian offensive, it said. The advance to Soledar should encircle the city from the north and cut off Ukrainian lines of communication. The fighting focused on approaches to disused salt mine tunnels that run under the area and are around 200 kilometers long.
“Both sides are probably concerned that they could be used to infiltrate behind their lines,” the statement said in London. Despite the increased pressure on Bakhmut, it is unlikely that Russia will take the city anytime soon, as Ukrainian forces have established stable defenses and continue to control supply routes.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, the British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.