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Ukraine Says Russian Claims About Control Of Soledar Untrue, Fighting Continues

Updated
Ukrainian soldiers watch as smoke billows during heavy fighting in Soledar in the Donetsk region on January 11.
Ukrainian soldiers watch as smoke billows during heavy fighting in Soledar in the Donetsk region on January 11.

The Ukrainian military and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy say claims by Russia's Vagner group that Russian forces have taken the eastern town of Soledar are false and fighting continues.

"The terrorist state and its propagandists are trying to pretend that part of our town of Soledar...is some sort of Russian possession," Zelenskiy said in a video address on January 11.

"But fighting continues. The Donetsk theater of operations is holding."

In a separate statement, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also said fighting continues. The statement said in order to bring the entire Donetsk region under its control, the Russian military is attempting both to attack nearby Bakhmut and to disrupt supply routes to Soledar.

The General Staff said earlier the Russians were suffering heavy losses as they tried to take the salt-mining town.

The head of the mercenary Vagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on January 11 his forces had taken control of the Soledar.

"I want to confirm the complete liberation and cleansing of the territory of Soledar from units of the Ukrainian army.... Ukrainian units that did not want to surrender were destroyed," he said in a statement.

Vagner forces "killed about 500 people," he said, adding that Soledar is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukraine had earlier denied claims by the private Russian military group that it had taken control of the town.

"The town is not under the control of the Russian Federation. There are fierce battles going on now," Serhiy Cherevatiy, the spokesman for the eastern military command, said on Ukrainian television.

"There is a complicated situation there.... The intensity of battles near Bakhmut can be compared with World War II," he added.

In Photos: 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."

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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Regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said 559 civilians, including 15 children, remain in Soledar. These people had no desire to leave before Soledar was closed due to active fighting, he said on Ukrainian television.

Fewer than 8,000 people remain in Bakhmut, but evacuation is still possible, he said.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry earlier on January 11 cited "colossal losses" by Russian forces trying to capture the Soledar in a sustained offensive that the ministry described as "maniacal" as the community's fate hangs in the balance.

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that paratroopers had blockaded areas north and south of Soledar, but added that fighting was ongoing inside the town.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was a "positive dynamic in advances," but quickly added: "Let's not rush [to declare victory]; let's wait for official statements."

The Ukrainian General Staff claimed on January 11 that Russia had lost around 490 soldiers the previous day. It said those casualties raised its estimated death toll on the Russian side to nearly 113,000 troops.

Each side in the conflict has classified its casualty figures, and RFE/RL cannot corroborate accounts by either side of battlefield developments in the areas of the heaviest fighting.

Capturing Soledar and its salt mines would have symbolic, military, and commercial value for Russia and would be Moscow's most substantial gain in months.

As the battle for Soledar raged, Russia on January 11 announced that it has again replaced the commander of its forces in Ukraine.

Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov was appointed to oversee the invasion in a reshuffle announced by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Gerasimov replaces Sergei Surovikin, who will become one Gerasimov's three of three deputies, the ministry said.

The Ukrainian General Staff said early on January 11 that its troops had fought off Russian attacks in three eastern regions.

It also reminded Ukrainians across the country to be alert for possible long-distance air strikes, although the pace of such Russian bombing of civilian and infrastructure targets has eased since the massive bombardments at the end of December and early January.

With reporting by Reuters
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