Russian forces capture Soledar

After months of intense battles, and weeks of claim, counter-claim and uncertainty of the military situation of Soledar, Ukrainian forces confirm that the last industrial estate had been taken by Russian forces. Military and civillian casualities were extremely high in the battle over the salt mining town. It was also a point of publicity for Wagner as images were shared to social media channels of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the PMC's founder and owner, inside the salt mines with his troops. It was a stark moment in Wagner's continued competition with the traditional armed forces.