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On August 9, control of Russian-led forces of a large plant on the outskirts of the city of Soledar was officially confirmed. Fighting has reached the streets of the city.
The Interior Minister of the Luhansk People’s Republic claimed that the People’s Militia of the LPR took control of the entire territory of the KNAUF plant located on the south-eastern outskirts of Soledar in the northern Donetsk People’s Republic.
“Units of the 6th Cossack Regiment of the People’s Militia of the LPR fully control the territory of the KNAUF-Gypsum plant in the south-east of Soledar. Clashes are already taking place on the adjacent streets of the city,” the report says.
Russian control of the facility was also confirmed by the acting commander of the Chechen Akhmat unit on the morning of August 9.
Russian-led offensive on the outskirts of Soledar was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defence less than a week ago, on August 4.
The territory of the plant is of strategic importance as it was the only industrial area where the AFU could establish their defences. At the moment, clashes broke out in residential areas of the city where Ukrainian soldiers are traditionally hiding in civilian houses.
Russian control of the industrial area complicates the situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the village of Bakhmutsky located nearby where clashes continue.
