Ukrainian army will hold line of defense outside Soledar - Zgurets

He said this on the air of Espreso TV channel.

"Ukrainian army will hold the defense line outside Soledar. Now we are holding the settlement of Sil, which is part of Soledar. There are three lines of defense in this direction - an industrial zone, railway tracks, a river and a cascade of heights. The defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be based behind the railway, on the slopes that rise up to keep the enemy's attempts to advance further from the dominant heights," explained Zgurets.

According to the expert, the new positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Bakhmut sector are quite convenient for holding the enemy's actions.

"The enemy is trying to storm the Sil village, which is located north of Soledar. The enemy is trying to break through to the railway. This road leads to Siversk, and it is a part of the Siversk - Soledar - Bakhmut highway. Thus, the enemy is trying to bypass Bakhmut from the north. The situation is difficult, but predictable. Ukrainian troops hold positions that are acceptable for defense," added Zgurets.

• On January 15, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had made the battle for Donbas a matter of principle for itself, the battles for Bakhmut and Soledar continue unabated.
• Ukrainian Armed Forces "almost certainly" hold positions in Soledar, Donetsk region, and are gradually advancing towards Kreminna, Luhansk region