Retired colonel Matveychuk called Artyomovsk and Soledar the key points of defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

His words are quoted by Moskovsky Komsomolets. 

He noted that the transfer of these cities under Russian control violates the stability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kramatorsk direction.

Matveychuk explained that in this way Russian troops would be able to reach the communications of Ukrainian units and cut them off from the main troops.

Earlier, the acting head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, said that the city of Soledar was close to being liberated.

The commander of the Akhmat special forces, the deputy commander of the 2nd army corps of the People's Militia of the LPR, Apty Alaudinov, said that, in his opinion, Soledar and Bakhmut (Artyomovsk) would be released in the coming days.