In an unusual additional message on Friday night the Russian Ministry of Defense for the first time explicitly praised the efforts of the private military company Wagner in storming the Soledar areas.
The offensive that led to the defeat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) and the capture of the city of Soledar was carried out by a heterogeneous group of Russian troopswith the task of storming the districts of the city occupied by the VSU being successfully accomplished thanks to the actions of the volunteers from the assault squads of PMC “Wagner”, reads the announcement of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is expressly stated that the message is inspired by media reports on the composition and participation of various parts of the Russian grouping of troops (forces) in the liberation of the city of Soledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
It is also specified that the offensive actions in this tactical area, which led to the defeat of the armed forces of Ukraine and the capture of the city of Soledar, were carried out by a heterogeneous group of Russian troops (forces) according to a unified plan and a plan that provided for the solution of a complex of combat tasks“. The combat tasks included blocking the city from the north and south, isolating the area of hostilities and preventing the transfer of reserves from neighboring areas to the city and cutting off the exit of the VSU units from Soledar, as well as fire support of the advance from assault aircraft and artillery.
“As for the direct assault on Soledar’s quartersoccupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, this combat mission was successfully accomplished thanks to the brave and selfless actions of the volunteers from the assault groups of PMC “Wagner”the ministry adds.
Russia today announced the capture of the city of Soledar, while the Ukrainian forces still deny. This would be the first victory of the Russian army since June, as units of PMC “Wagner” have been fighting since the summer precisely in the area on Bakhmut.
Until a few months ago actually the existence and actions of PMC Wagner were denied by Russian officials. The organization is completely inadmissible under Russian law. Yevgeny Prigozhin himself, known as Putin’s Cook because of his additional catering business, denied the activities of Wagner and his connections with her. The war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin has been waging since February 2022, allowed it to come to light and even to publicly confirm his role.
