British Intelligence Service reports on the situation in Soledar and Bakhmut areas

This is according to a UK Ministry of Defence intelligence review on Wednesday.

First and foremost, British intelligence suggest that Ukrainian forces have likely withdrawn from the town of Soledar and continue to defend themselves against Russian forces around Bakhmut, with the terrorist Wagner PMC now allegedly in control of the town.

They also claim that Ukrainian troops have established new defensive lines in the west.

The Russian military has directed all its forces to seize Soledar and then surround Bakhmut.

The Russian offensive on Soledar was mainly carried out by the Wagner Group and was a supporting operation aimed at eventually encircling Bakhmut.

Since early January 2023, the south and east of Bakhmut have been under heavy Russian artillery fire. In addition, one of Ukraine's two main supply routes to Bakhmut is now under increasing pressure.