The city of Soledar in Donetsk Region remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the spokesman of the AFU Eastern Group of Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, has said, Ukrinform reports.
"Soledar is not under the control of the Russian Federation," he said.
According to him, fierce fighting is taking place there – today alone there were 76 shelling attacks and 10 engagements.
"Our Armed Forces and the command are doing everything to inflict maximum damage to the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment and to preserve our forces as much as possible," he noted.
He added that the Russian tactics have not changed: they use personnel who continuously "roll" in tides on the positions of Ukrainian defenders.
"Step by step they made small advances. Our soldiers are holding the defence, but the tactical situation sometimes forced them to change positions," explained the spokesman.
Commenting on the situation in Bakhmut, Cherevatyy noted that the city remains under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the fighting continues.
"So far this is one of the most intense areas of the frontline, where combat engagements and constant shelling of the enemy are taking place," he said.
He added that combat engagements also continue in the Svatove-Kreminna sector. The enemy regroups, tries to counterattack in certain areas, but suffers significant losses and retreats. The AFU are acting with regard to the situation.
Regarding Putin's alleged order to introduce a "ceasefire" from 1200 on 6 January to 2400 on 7 January, Cherevatyy said: "Of course, none of this happened."