The Latest Breaking News from Yevgeny Prigozhin

Russia’s top military officer has been put in charge of troops fighting in Ukraine on Wednesday

Ukraine has been crying out for more heavy armour, longer range weapons and air defence systems to end the war.

Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in intense fighting on Wednesday over the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine - a stepping stone in Moscow's push to capture the entire Donbas region - with the Russians appearing to have the upper hand.

Kramatorsk (Ukraine) (AFP) - The fate of Soledar in east Ukraine was unclear on Wednesday, with Russian mercenary group Wagner claiming to control the gateway town while the Kremlin cautioned against declaring victory prematurely.

Russia replaces war leader for second time since October

The head of Russia's mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said early Wednesday his fighters had taken control of Ukraine's city of Soledar after intense fighting this week, but some "urban battles" continued. "Wagner units have taken control of the whole territory of Soledar," Prigozhin said through his press service on…

Russia again replaced its top commander in Ukraine on Wednesday, putting army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov in charge of its forces in the conflict, as fighting continued to rage for control of the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar. Earlier, Poland's President Andrzej Duda said during a visit to Kyiv…

The group – run by an ally of Vladimir Putin – has claimed control of the town, but Kyiv says there is intense fighting there and around the nearby city of Bakhmut

Eastern Ukrainian town renowned for its salt mines has been at the centre of days of fierce fighting.