Russia says it seized town in eastern Ukraine, as Germany calls for new peace talks

Russian forces say they have taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, as fighting in the region intensifies.

Germany has called for new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as international leaders express concern over the escalating conflict. The development comes amid intense fighting in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian forces have been attempting to capture the city of Bakhmut.

Soledar, a small town located north of Bakhmut, has been a key target for Russian forces in recent weeks.

The town is home to a large salt mine and has strategic importance due to its location on a major highway connecting the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. Russian forces have been shelling Soledar for weeks and have reportedly made significant gains in recent days. The Ukrainian military has denied that Soledar has fallen, but has acknowledged that the situation in the town is "difficult". The capture of Soledar would be a significant victory for Russia, as it would allow them to advance their positions towards Bakhmut. It would also provide them with control of a key transportation hub in the region.

However, the fighting in Soledar has been fierce, and Ukrainian forces have vowed to defend the town.

The town has been heavily damaged by the fighting, and there are reports of civilian casualties. The escalation of fighting in eastern Ukraine has raised international concerns. Germany has called for new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and has warned of the dangers of further escalation. Other world leaders have also expressed concern about the situation, and have urged Russia to de-escalate the conflict. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, and has warned that the fighting could lead to a wider war in Europe. The situation in eastern Ukraine remains fluid, and it is unclear how the fighting will develop in the coming days. Russia has said that it is committed to achieving its objectives in Ukraine, but has not ruled out the possibility of peace talks. Ukraine has said that it will not negotiate with Russia until it withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory.