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Ukraine Says Donetsk Line 'Holding' As Zelenskiy Pledges To Send Defenders 'Everything Necessary'

Updated
A Ukrainian Army Grad multiple-rocket launcher fires at Russian positions on the front line near Soledar on January 11.
A Ukrainian Army Grad multiple-rocket launcher fires at Russian positions on the front line near Soledar on January 11.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Ukrainian forces in the eastern city of Soledar are holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on Russia troops.

The Ukrainian troops defending the two cities will receive "ammunition and everything necessary promptly and without interruption," Zelenskiy said on Telegram on January 12 after a meeting of Ukraine's top military leaders.

Zelenskiy said the meeting also addressed the reinforcement of Ukraine's armed forces with equipment and weapons supplied by partners.

Ukraine's military said earlier that the assault on the salt-mining town of Soledar was continuing, despite earlier Russian claims that the city had been captured.

Russian forces overnight used artillery, rockets, and aircraft to pummel the city, which is a northeastern suburb of the strategic city of Bakhmut, which could be vulnerable to capture if Soledar is taken.

"The fiercest and heaviest fighting is continuing today in the area of Soledar," Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on January 12.

"Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting doggedly," she added.

Satellite imagery of Soledar released by Maxar Technologies on January 11 showed a city devastated by weeks of intense fighting.

Russia-installed occupation officials in Ukraine’s Donetsk region said that "pockets of resistance" remain within the city, while a Russian Defense Ministry official in Moscow claimed the offensive in the Donetsk region was proceeding "successfully."

Earlier, the Kremlin-connected businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who heads the ostensibly private Russian mercenary group Vagner, said his forces had captured the city.

The Kremlin, however, urged caution, saying that while there had been a "positive dynamic in advances," there should be no rush to declare victory and instead wait for "official information" on the situation.

RFE/RL could not independently verify any of the assertions.

Also during the night, the Russian military reportedly shelled the southern city of Zaporizhzhya, local Ukrainian officials reported.

The shelling, shortly after 3 a.m. local time, damaged some infrastructure but no casualties were reported, city council official Anatoliy Kurtev said.

Salt Of The Earth: Deep Inside Eastern Ukraine's Massive Soledar Mines

This is pure salt. The crystal-clear chunk was extracted from the Artyomsol salt mine in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
1/16 This is pure salt. The crystal-clear chunk was extracted from the Artyomsol salt mine in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
An underground chamber at the mine, created after thousands of tons of rock salt was extracted. Geologists working for the mine say less than 5 percent of the salt seam has been removed since operations began in 1881.
2/16 An underground chamber at the mine, created after thousands of tons of rock salt was extracted. Geologists working for the mine say less than 5 percent of the salt seam has been removed since operations began in 1881.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
An emergency escape ladder runs up one wall of a chamber in the mine, hundreds of meters beneath the surface.
3/16 An emergency escape ladder runs up one wall of a chamber in the mine, hundreds of meters beneath the surface.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
A transport tunnel inside the mine. The vast salt seam under the town of Soledar, meaning &quot;gift of salt,&quot; was formed after an ancient sea in the region dried up.<br /> &nbsp;
4/16 A transport tunnel inside the mine. The vast salt seam under the town of Soledar, meaning "gift of salt," was formed after an ancient sea in the region dried up.
 
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
The mine employs more than 2,800 people and supplies some 95 percent of Ukrainians&#39; salt.
5/16 The mine employs more than 2,800 people and supplies some 95 percent of Ukrainians' salt.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
A mine worker at the controls of a &quot;combine.&quot;
6/16 A mine worker at the controls of a "combine."
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
The business end of the combine, poised to grind the salt into an easily transportable powder.&nbsp;
7/16 The business end of the combine, poised to grind the salt into an easily transportable powder. 
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
A worker pours freshly ground salt into a heap. From here it will be transported to the surface.
8/16 A worker pours freshly ground salt into a heap. From here it will be transported to the surface.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
In 2015, amid conflict between Russia-backed separatists and the Ukrainian military, the mine lost around one-third of its market when Russian authorities abruptly&nbsp;<a href="https://rospotrebnadzor.ru/about/info/news/news_details.php?ELEMENT_ID=2967" target="_blank">suspended</a>&nbsp;imports of Artyomsol&#39;s salt.<br /> &nbsp;
9/16 In 2015, amid conflict between Russia-backed separatists and the Ukrainian military, the mine lost around one-third of its market when Russian authorities abruptly suspended imports of Artyomsol's salt.
 
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
​Ground salt being zipped toward an elevator that will transport it to the surface.
10/16 ​Ground salt being zipped toward an elevator that will transport it to the surface.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
As well as selling salt for both food and heavy industry, the Artyomsol&nbsp;mine also does a swift trade in an unusual salt product.
11/16 As well as selling salt for both food and heavy industry, the Artyomsol mine also does a swift trade in an unusual salt product.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
These salt blocks, which sell for around 8 euros each, are used for &quot;speleo rooms&quot; -- chambers built from salt that seek to recreate the allegedly restorative conditions of salt mines.
12/16 These salt blocks, which sell for around 8 euros each, are used for "speleo rooms" -- chambers built from salt that seek to recreate the allegedly restorative conditions of salt mines.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
A worker slices up blocks of salt. There is disagreement over whether inhaling salt dust is indeed the miracle cure for respiratory illnesses it is claimed to be. But after a <a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feliks_Boczkowski" target="_blank">Polish doctor</a> noticed that workers in salt mines often avoided the lung diseases common to coal miners, the &quot;halotherapy&quot; industry was born.
13/16 A worker slices up blocks of salt. There is disagreement over whether inhaling salt dust is indeed the miracle cure for respiratory illnesses it is claimed to be. But after a Polish doctor noticed that workers in salt mines often avoided the lung diseases common to coal miners, the "halotherapy" industry was born.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
But the majority of sales remain salt for zesting up food. And company officials say Artyomsol&nbsp;is seeking to crack Western markets.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;
14/16 But the majority of sales remain salt for zesting up food. And company officials say Artyomsol is seeking to crack Western markets.

 
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
Freshly packed boxes of table salt flow off the production line. A spokesman told RFE/RL that Artyomsol&nbsp;is currently designing packaging to catch the eyes of Western shoppers.
15/16 Freshly packed boxes of table salt flow off the production line. A spokesman told RFE/RL that Artyomsol is currently designing packaging to catch the eyes of Western shoppers.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
A vintage sign at the entrance to one of Artyomsol&#39;s mines.
16/16 A vintage sign at the entrance to one of Artyomsol's mines.
Russian forces in Ukraine are trying to capture the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar in a sustained offensive that Kyiv's Defense Ministry has described as "maniacal." In 2019, RFE/RL's Amos Chapple visited Soledar as the salt-mining operation was hoping to crack Western markets.
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Ukraine’s electricity provider, Ukrenerho, reported blackouts in nine regions across the country on January 12.

Since October, Russia has been carrying out air strikes across Ukraine targeting the electrical grid and other civilian infrastructure and causing disruptions in electricity, water, and heat supplies.

On January 11, Moscow announced a reorganization of its military command, placing Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in charge of the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation." Gerasimov replaces General Sergei Surovikin, who was named Gerasimov's deputy. Surovikin was made overall commander of the war just three months ago.

A Pentagon spokesman on January 12 said Russia's persistent troubles in Ukraine likely led to the shake-up.

"It likely does reflect some of the systemic challenges that the Russian military has faced since the beginning of this invasion," Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told a news briefing.

Among the issues are logistics problems, command-and-control problems, sustainment problems, morale, and the "failure to achieve the strategic objectives that they've set for themselves," Ryder said.

He urged Moscow to end the war instead of turning to new generals to oversee the invasion.

In an assessment issued on January 11, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War claimed Russia is suffering from "munitions shortages" that "hinder the ability of Russian forces to sustain offensive operations."

Heavy Fighting In Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine (updated weekly)

"Russian sources are increasingly…acknowledging that Russia's ammunition and supply shortages are decisively impeding the ability of Russian forces to advance," the assessment stated.

In Moscow, a deputy in the State Duma -- the lower house of Russia’s parliament -- said lawmakers planned to raise the upper age for the military draft to 30 years old in order to boost the number of Russian troops by 30 percent.

Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the Duma's Defense Committee, said the lower age limit, which currently stands at 18, would be raised to 21 after a "transition period" of one to three years.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin "conceptually supported" the idea of raising the draft age.

With reporting by Reuters
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    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has seen its audience grow significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and is among the most cited media outlets in the country. Its bold, in-depth reporting from the front lines has won many accolades and awards. Its comprehensive coverage also includes award-winning reporting by the Donbas.Realities and Crimea.Realities projects and the Schemes investigative unit.

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