Head of Russia’s Wagner group says his troops have taken control of Soledar

Yevgeny Prigozhin poses with some of his mercenaries in Ukrainian town renowned for its salt mines

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group has claimed his forces have completed the takeover of the Ukrainian town of Soledar, which if confirmed would mark Moscow's first major battlefield success since last summer.

Wagner units have taken the whole territory of Soledar under control," said Yevgeny Prigozhin in an audio message released on his Telegram channel late on Tuesday.