Russia’s Defense Ministry says it has completely captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Soledar, but heavy fighting is still going on, according to Ukraine. “We never know for sure, but the Russians themselves say there are still places of resistance.”
However, Western security services claim based on video recordings that the Russians did indeed take the city. “Based on that, I think we can conclude that it is,” says BNR foreign commentator Bernard Hammelburg.
Soledar would be strategically important, given the possible supply routes that would pass through this city to Bachmoet. There’s also uncertainty about this, Hammelburg says. “Here scientists contradict each other. It is about ten kilometers long, there are also military experts who say that a different route would have been useful”.
Salt mines
The city of Soledar, located in the Donetsk province, was home to about 10,000 residents. It is famous for the salt mines, these mines and especially the tunnels are said to be one of the reasons why Russian troops have been fighting for months to conquer both Soledar and Bachmut. “Those mines are economically and strategically important because weapons and men can be stored there.”
The symbolism behind this offensive is more troubling, Hammelburg says, referring to a recent New York Times article. ‘In it, Lara Jakes and Steve Erlanger, journalists who really know what they’re talking about, write that a major Russian spring offensive is coming. And in that context, small victories like in Soledar are important, because they allow for a huge amount of extra troops and tanks. It’s getting harder and harder for Ukraine.’
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Gross mistake
The Ukrainian defense minister said his country is already a “de facto” member of NATO, “because we have weapons and we know how to use them”. According to Hammelburg, these statements are a “strategic error”. “This confirms what Russia keeps saying. In March, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said there was actually a war between Russia and NATO. The West denies it, but by increasing armaments we get closer to Lavrov’s reasoning. It is very stupid and counterproductive of Ukraine to say that.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
