Russian assault units continue to expand the bridgehead around Soledar and are close to surround the Ukrainian grouping in Bakhmut. In recent days, Wagner’s fighters who operate in this area have achieved new victories.
On January 23, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed Russian control of the village of Krasnopolye (Kranopolevka) in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Two days before, on January 21, Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Main Council of the administration of the Zaporozhye region, also claimed Russian control of the village. Acting head of the republic Denis Pushilin also confirmed that the mop up operation in the village has been completed.
Pushilin added that “not everything is so easy” in the region, because the enemy “resists”. “It is absolutely fair to say here that this is not an easy walk for the guys [Russian servicemen]. Every house, every facility, every enemy firing point is being gnawed out there,” he said. According to him, “the heaviest” and “bloody” battles are taking place in the region.
Krasnopolye is located north of the Sol railway station, 5 km from Soledar and about 20 km from Artemovsk (Bakhmut). After its liberation, Russian forces continued their offensive north from Soledar along one of the highways to Seversk and are breaking through new Ukrainian defense lines near the village of Razdolovka. Not far to the east, Wagner’s fighters are advancing near Veseloe.
Control over all settlements on the northwestern outskirts of Soledar will allow the Russian military to establish a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Bakhmutka River.