The commander of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi has visited the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in Bakhmut and Soledar of the Donetsk region.

The Ukrainian Ground Forces Command reported about this.

“In Soledar, the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine directly implemented specific measures to organize the defense, enhancing the directions by transferring additional units and increasing the degree of fire damage to the enemy,” the statement says.

In addition, Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized that the invasion forces had attempted to storm Soledar from different directions and transferred “the most professional units of the Wagner PMC” into the assault of Soledar.

“Thanks to the courage and skill of our defenders, the enemy suffered significant losses and once again retreated despite the hostile propaganda statements on the allegedly captured Soledar,” Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

Serhii Cherevaty, Spokesman for the Operational Command East of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has commented on the battles in the city on the air of the telethon, Ukrainska Pravda reports.

During the day, the Russian invaders shelled the city a total of 106 times, and 22 combat engagements took place.

“Fierce battles are taking place there. Russian forces launched 106 attacks in the area with 22 combat engagements taking place during the day. Direct measures are being taken to prevent the enemy from further advancing, and systematic strikes are being carried out by our side. Yesterday (8 January – ed.), additional military assets and personnel were allocated to the commanders in Soledar,” Serhii Cherevaty said.

He also emphasized that the frosty weather would enable the Ukrainian forces to use heavy equipment such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Therefore counteroffensive actions will be possible.

Journalist Yurii Butusov told about the defense of Soledar by the military of the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade. According to him, the enemy is using Putin’s penal military units from Wagner PMC and the Russian airborne forces.

“The losses of the Russians are difficult to assess. Assault groups of Russian convicts and voluntary mercenaries are advancing until complete destruction. They are being sent simultaneously from different directions, day and night, in order to advance at any cost, despite the accurate shooting of paratroopers (military of the 46th Brigade – Ed.), most of whom already have a lot of killed invaders on their personal account. Our artillery, tanks and missiles deliver precisely adjusted strikes. The Russians are trying to suppress our deadly artillery using Lancet drones,” Butusov wrote.

As previously reported, on December 28, Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, visited the positions of the Ukrainian military in Bakhmut.