Ukrainian Situation in Bakhmut and Soledar is Critical

In the last twenty four hours, Ukrainian troops and Russian war correspondents have confirmed that Russian troops have entered Soledar, a settlement approximately two kilometers Northwest of Bakhmut. Russian state-owned media has claimed that Russian troops entered Soledar at approximately 1200 EST on 05JAN22 and that Ukrainian troops had withdrawn to the Western area of the settlement where the Solyanaya Symfonyya, Speleosanatoryy (Soledar Salt Mines) presents a significant obstacle for Russian Ground Forces. The mines have 125 miles of tunnel, are at a depth of 288m, and many of the chambers are 30 meters in height. The largest resembles a hangar of about 100 meters long and 40 meters width and 40 m height, and has accommodated soccer matches and the inflation of a hot air balloon.