The representative of the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, said this on Wednesday during a telephone briefing, Ukrinform reports.
“I will tell you that as of this morning, we do not assess that they (the Russians - ed.) have actually taken unilateral possession of both cities,” Kirby said.
He noted that "fierce fighting is taking place in this area in Donbas," especially near Soledar, where, according to the US, control of the territory remains disputed.
Kirby also noted that although the Russian forces have made gradual progress in recent days, it has come at a cost - they are actually throwing bodies at Ukrainian positions. According to him, these efforts are being led mainly by Prigozhin and his Wagner PMC with some support from the Russian military.
At the same time, the White House representative noted that “Prigozhin wants to be considered more relevant and indispensable on the battlefield” than the traditional Russian Armed Forces. Kirby also confirmed that tensions remain between the Russian Defense Ministry and Prigozhin's Group.
Also the day before, UK intelligence suggested that the Ukrainian military may have withdrawn to new defensive positions west of Soledar