After a protracted conflict, Russia says it has taken control of the Ukrainian salt mining town of Soledar, calling it a “crucial step.”
According to the defence ministry, the victory will enable Russian forces to cut off Ukrainian forces in the nearby larger city of Bakhmut.
Earlier, Ukraine claimed that battles had continued throughout the night and that its forces were still engaged.
The fighting around Soledar has been some of the bloodiest of the war.
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