Russia says it took Soledar, Ukraine denies its capture

By ANDREW MELDRUM
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia claims that its forces have captured the fiercely contested salt mining town of Soledar. That would mark a rare victory for the Kremlin after a series of setbacks in its war in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy say the fight for Soledar continues. Moscow has painted the battle for the town and nearby Bakhmut as key to capturing the eastern region of the Donbas. Russia also sees the fight as a way to grind down the best Ukrainian forces and prevent them from launching counterattacks elsewhere. But that cuts both ways. Ukraine says its fierce defense of the eastern strongholds has helped tie up Russian forces. Western officials and analysts say the two towns’ importance is more symbolic than strategic.