In Ukraine, a fierce battle in the city of Soledar, in Donbass, between the soldiers of Kiev and the occupying Russian forces.

The city is also full of announcements and counter-announcements by the contenders. Moscow has announced its capture, explaining that in three days the Ukrainian army has lost 700 soldiers and that the final assault was carried out "successfully" by the voluntary mercenaries of the notorious Wagner group , thanks to a "generous action".

For its part, the General Staff in Kiev did not admit defeat, replying that "the battle continues in Soledar".

Sky News correspondent Alex Rossi in the nearby city of Sloviansk explained that yesterday in Soledar "it certainly looked like the Ukrainians had been driven out of most of the city", however there was still "very heavy fighting going on, with a huge amount of artillery and small arms fire, suggesting close quarters combat.

The correspondent reported that it is possible that there were still Ukrainian troops "trapped inside the city and fighting to the last man".

Both sides, however, appear to have suffered heavy casualties .

(Unioneonline/lf)