On Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, Russia announced that Their army was able to capture Soledar, a small town in the Donetsk region. But the location of a salt mine in Ukraine has already been established. But the Kiev government denied it. Indicates that the battle is still ongoing.
But if the Russians actually occupied this city This will be the first capture of a Ukrainian city since July 2022, a breakthrough. Or maybe even the victory that President Vladimir Putin is desperately seeking. After suffering defeats in many battles and losing important captured cities to Ukraine
Analysts are still debating the strategic value of Soledar. Many considered the city to be of little importance and only a symbolic victory. But the capture of the city opened the way for the Russian army. In particular, a group of mercenaries of the company ‘Wagner Group’ (Wagner Group) invaded Baghmut city that is closer to each other in many directions. After many months of trying
The capture of Soledar also meant a lot to Yevgeny Prigozin, founder of the Wagner Group, which is in an internal conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry. As a result, the battle at Soledar became a battle for influence and resources between the two sides as well.
What happened in Soledar?
Russia and Ukraine disagree on the situation in the city. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Their army had captured the city of Soledar. By continuously attacking Ukrainian army positions using air strikes, missiles and artillery, intercepting reinforcement transfers, ammunition. Including preventing attempts to retreat from the enemy’s defense line as well
The Russian defense ministry statement made no mention of Wagner’s claims that The capture of Soledar was their sole responsibility. According to the ministry The city was captured by the use of sophisticated military measures. Killed 700 Ukrainian soldiers in the last 3 days and destroyed more than 300 weapons.
However, Serhi Sherevati, a spokesman for the Eastern Ukraine Army, told CNN that Russia does not yet have complete control of Soledar, while Taras Berezovets, captain of the 1st Battalion, The Ukrainian special forces, now stationed in Baghmut, said Ukrainian troops were still stationed in the western suburbs.
But Mr Berezovets admitted that Retaining troops in Soledar made no military sense. because the city was completely destroyed He believes that in the next few days, the commander will have an order to withdraw. His friends in other units understand that this mission is to hold on for as long as possible And kill as many armed fighters of the Wagner Group as possible.
Berezovets said that The Ukrainian army inflicted heavy damage on the Russian forces. One of Wagner’s fighters was captured, who confessed to His unit had only 3 survivors out of 35. Berezovets did not know if Ukrainian soldiers were still trapped in Soledar. But several units have already withdrawn to the western suburbs near the train station.
While a CNN news team on the outskirts of Soledar reported Mortars and missiles continued to hit the town on Friday afternoon. After the Russians claimed to have captured the city.
Importance of Soledar City
The city of Soledar is located in the heart of the Donetsk region. This is one of the eastern territories that Russia had been aiming to conquer since last year. Russia has unilaterally announced the annexation of the region and three other Ukrainian regions. Although they still could not control about 40% of Donetsk Oblast.
A few kilometers northeast of Soledar. is the location of the city of Baghmut which is larger which is now the most active site of the 1,300km long frontline in Ukraine.
Russia has been intent on capturing Soleda since May 2022, although this small town of just 10,000 has little strategic value. But it could be the route to the west for the Russian army that has been stalled for a long time. And open the way for Moscow to attack Baghmut in more ways. After invading only the east coast for many months
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that The capture of Soledar was essential to the continued success of the offensive operation in the Donetsk region. and allowed them to cut off the supply route of the Ukrainian army to Baghmut
The area around Soledar is also home to several large refined salt mines. It is managed by Artemsil, Europe’s largest mining company. But mining was halted shortly after the Russian offensive began on February 24 last year.
Mr. Prigochin It said it was interested in salt and gypsum mines in Soledar, saying it was a network of underground cities capable of deploying troops at depths of 80-100 meters and capable of providing tanks and other vehicles. of the army running freely But returning to the salt mine again A huge investment may be required. and must wait for the situation to be calmer than at present
Soledar is also rich in alabaster soil. Precious clay for molding ceramics and coal too.
Cracks in the Russian Armed Forces
For Russia, the capture of Soledar was a long-awaited victory. After not celebrating any victory since the beginning of July last year In addition, there were only news of defeat in many battles. lost the city of Kharkiv and the city of Kherson which was the only major mine they had captured. It was also subjected to a counterattack by the Ukrainian army that took up more space in the east and south.
but for Mr. Prigozin This victory is very important. Because his Wagner mercenary Most of them were ex-convicts. Tried to capture Baghmut for several months. But despite countless raids and losing thousands of soldiers still failed to seize the city
Earlier, Prygosin had been heavily criticized by the Russian army for its humiliating defeats to Ukrainian forces on several occasions. He therefore wanted to prove that his mercenaries could do it. Causing the battle at Soledar City to be a victory that has been waiting for a long time also became a battle for influence and resources between Prigozin and his enemies in the Russian Ministry of Defense too
Prigozin made it clear that he did not want anyone to take away the credit from him for the capture of Soleda. In a statement on Tuesday night (January 10, 2023), “Wagner’s troops seized control of the territory ofcity of soledarhave all of them This city center is like a cauldron. where the fight is taking place.” “I want to reiterate that No unit other than Wagner was involved in the siege of Soledar.”
Michalo Podolyak, Adviser to the President of Ukraine said on Friday Internal struggles between factions in the Russian oligarchs It’s a good sign of a start to a surprising end. “An open quarrel has begun between the Russian Defense Ministry and extremist military criminals. Prigozin and General Sergei Surovikin.
Author : Thitchon Sawangsri