Ukrainian forces resist ‘violent attacks’ in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that his troops were resisting “new, even more violent attacks” in Solader, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pakmud.

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“I thank the fighters in Solatar who are resisting new, even more violent attacks from Bagmouth (…) and the invaders,” President Zelensky said in his daily message.

Soledar, in the Donetsk region, is about 15 kilometers from Bagmouth. It’s a city of about 70,000 people before the Russian offensive began last February, which is now at the center of the fighting.

“Thanks to the resistance of our soldiers there, in Soledar, we got more time and (protected) troops for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

“Everything is completely destroyed (…) The entire area of ​​Soledor is covered with the corpses of the invaders and bears the scars of the explosions. This is what madness looks like,” the Ukrainian president added.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian armed forces claimed to have repelled an attempt to seize Solader, and fighting has since resumed.

“After the enemy’s failed attempt to capture Solidar (…the Russians) regrouped, recovered manpower, shifted additional assault units, changed tactics and launched attacks,” Defense Minister Khanna Malyar said in a Telegram message.

“Currently, the enemy has deployed numerous assault units drawn from the best reserves of the Wagner Group. They are literally trampling over the corpses of their own soldiers,” he added.

In a press release, Evguéni Prigojine, head of the Wagner group, confirmed for his part that the attack on Soledar was carried out “exclusively” by members of his organization.

Earlier, pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region claimed to have taken control of the village of Pakmoutske, a few kilometers from Solidar.

In September, Moscow announced it had annexed four Ukrainian territories in the east, including the Donetsk region, following referendums not recognized by Kiev and the West.