Donetsk, Jan 11 — DAN. The liberation of Soledar, Artyomovsk and Seversk will give the opportunity to smash the Ukrainian army’s in-depth defenses in Donbass, Donetsk People’s Republic Acting Head Denis Pushilin told the TV channel “Solovyov Live” on Wednesday.

“We are actually breaking up the frontline by taking Soledar, Artyomovsk and Seversk, ” Pushilin said. “This opens the opportunity for flanking on the Gorlovka and Slavyansk axes and even taking in the rear. With the right interoperability, the enemy’s long-reinforced front might collapse at certain stages.”

He emphasized that Russian forces now have far more chances to liberate Soldear and Artyomovsk. “In fact, it is a pivotal point; we’re preparing for the moment we’ve been looking forward to, i.e. the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic, ”  the regional leader said.

Earlier on Wednesday, “Wagner” group head Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Russian forces had taken the territory of Soledar under control at night. Ukrainian troops are trapped in the town center where fighting is ongoing, Prigozhin said.*jk