Ukrainian forces holding out after 'hot' night in Soledar - Kyiv

Ukrainian forces were holding out on Friday after a "hot" night of battles in the eastern salt-mining town of Soledar, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said.

"The night in Soledar was hot, battles continued," she wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"The enemy threw almost all the main forces in the direction of Donetsk and maintains a high intensity of offensive. Our fighters are bravely trying to maintain the defence," she said, referring to the Donetsk region which includes Soledar.

"This is a difficult phase of the war, but we will win. There is no doubt."