Putin Taking Soledar Would Be a Hollow Victory
NewsweekJan 10, 2023
Day 322: Head of Russia's Wagner Group Says His Troops Control Soledar
Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has claimed that his forces have taken control of the small but significant Donetsk town of Soledar after weeks of fierce fighting. If confirmed, control of the town, which lies nine miles (15km) north of Bakhmut, would mark Russia's first battlefield breakthrough since the summer.
Posting a picture of himself surrounded by Wagner forces, in what appeared to be one of Soledar's salt mines, Prigozhin said: "Wagner units have taken the whole territory of Soledar under control." He added that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in the centre of the town and that: "There are street battles ongoing. The number of prisoners taken will be announced tomorrow."
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia's liberation of Soledar is extremely significant as it paves the way for Russian encirclement of Bakhmut, as well as further advances in the Donetsk region which it will soon completely control.
Nerd narrative
There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.