The Ukrainian army said that it had repulsed Russian attacks in 13 different locations, stressing the continuation of fierce fighting in the small municipality of Soledar, which is witnessing fierce battles in the Donbass region in the east of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily video address, "the front in the Donetsk region is holding. Fighting is continuing and we are doing everything to strengthen Ukrainian defences."
Zelensky explained that Russia is trying to pretend that part of "our city of Soledar - a city that was almost completely destroyed by the invaders - is some kind of property of Russia."
He added that Russia is trying with supposed success claims to deceive its people and support mobilisation.
The official Russian news agency Tass quoted Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, on Tuesday, as saying that the group is about to seize the city of Soledar and that around 500 Ukrainian soldiers have been besieged. The Russian military leadership did not comment on the matter.
The Kremlin has not officially confirmed the capture of Soledar, but spoke of a positive move.
There is positive momentum in progress there, but military success is achieved when we reach the goals set by the supreme commander in the context of the special military operation, the Kremlin spokesman said, according to the Interfax news agency.
