Russian President Vladimir Putin described the situation in Soledar as challenging but emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces are advancing steadily with each passing day. His remarks were conveyed by TASS during a meeting in St. Petersburg with student participants connected to the special military operation, underscoring a message of resolve from the highest level of leadership amid ongoing hostilities.
Putin also noted that Ukrainian forces are trying to launch counterattacks from multiple directions, yet he asserted that these attempts are not succeeding. He framed the battlefield dynamics as a test of stamina and logistics, stressing that Russian units are pushing forward along several axes and gradually approaching a key canal. He suggested progress is visible even if precise distances could vary in his estimate, indicating movement toward a defined objective in the area with a cautious optimism about incremental gains.
Earlier, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, pointed to the liberation of Soledar, Artemovsk, and Maryinka as a crucial step in achieving the DPR’s broader strategic goals. He linked these territorial milestones to the overall mission of fulfilling assignments tied to the Commander-in-Chief, framing victory in these towns as essential elements of the campaign’s objectives and a signal of organizational momentum for the allied forces in the region.
On January 18, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced gains in the DPR, reporting that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation took control of the village Veseloye. This development was presented as part of a broader operational arc in which Russian units consolidate newly seized positions to improve their defensive posture and create favorable conditions for continued operations in adjacent sectors, reflecting a sustained tempo in the campaign’s progression.
In the Kupyansk direction, the Russian military reported on January 21 that it had secured the village Starch in the Kharkov region, signaling another step in a series of movements designed to tighten control over contested terrain. The claim followed earlier statements about adjusting frontline realities and repositioning forces to maximize territorial gains while maintaining supply routes and unit readiness across multiple fronts, a pattern observed across recent days of intensified activity around the larger front lines.
Previously, Pushilin had stressed the need to ensure that Ukrainian forces withdraw to a safer distance from the Donetsk region, reiterating the strategic aim of creating space for operations and reducing pressure on DPR-held areas. The thread of statements from regional officials mirrors a broader emphasis on maintaining momentum, coordinating actions with allied forces, and articulating a clear message about territorial objectives amid ongoing military engagement.