Ukrainian soldiers engage in heavy fighting against Russia at Bakhmut front

Ukrainian and Russian soldiers remained locked in heavy fighting in the Bakhmut area of Donetsk Oblast in December, as the attrition on the front continued into its fifth month. Video circulating on social media on December 16 showed artillery strikes on residential buildings in Soledar, about 15km north of Bakhmut city. The Ukrainians have been holding back the Russians around Bakhmut for over six months, since Moscow turned its focus to the city in August. Russian and Luhansk People’s Republic forces have tried repeatedly to break through the front line near Soledar in recent days. On Friday, a Russian Telegram channel posted a photo it said showed PMC Wagner paramilitary fighters after they captured Yakovlevka, to the north of Soledar, the previous day. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov called this situation another example of the occupiers' terror in action: they are so afraid of the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that hold all civilians hostage as a "human shield".