Russia's war on Ukraine latest: civilians trapped in battle for salt town - Reuters

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Ukraine said its troops were holding retired against pro-Moscow forces successful the eastbound salt mining town of Soledar arsenic much than 500 civilians including children were trapped there.

FIGHTING

* Ukrainian forces were holding retired connected Friday aft a "hot" nighttime of battles successful the eastbound salt-mining municipality of Soledar, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said.

* The ultra-nationalist declaration militia Wagner, tally by an state of Russian President Putin, had claimed to person taken Soledar. Moscow has held disconnected officially proclaiming victory.

* A seizure of Soledar, which had a pre-war colonisation 10,000, would beryllium Moscow's astir important summation since a bid of retreats passim overmuch of the 2nd fractional of 2022.

* Moscow's February penetration of Ukraine has resulted successful much than 50,000 reports of alleged warfare crimes, Ukraine’s apical warfare crimes authoritative Yuriy Belousov said, arsenic grim details of the alleged torture emerged.

MILITARY

* France is hoping to deliver 'AMX 10-RC' airy combat tanks to Ukraine successful 2 months' time, French equipped forces curate Sebastien Lecornu said.

* A Russian overseas ministry authoritative said Belarus whitethorn participate the conflict successful Ukraine if Kyiv decides to "invade" either country. Russia utilized Belarus arsenic a springboard to invade Ukraine successful February 2022, and since October has deployed troops successful Belarus for associated subject drills. But the borderline country is present heavily waterlogged, making an imminent Russian onslaught unlikely.

* Kremlin-watchers are examining Russia's latest power of battlefield enactment aft Valery Gerasimov, main of the military's wide staff, was unexpectedly fixed direct command of the invasion.

ECONOMY

* A adjacent state of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested confiscating property and assets of Russians who discredit the country's equipped forces and reason the warfare successful Ukraine.

* China's exports and imports with Russia deed a caller precocious of 1.28 trillion yuan successful 2022, Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs, told a quality briefing successful Beijing. Trade with Russia accounted for 3% of China's full for the year, helium added.

Compiled by Grant McCool and Michael Perry; Editing by Kim Coghill and Philippa Fletcher

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