Media reports in Ukraine say Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the town of Soledar in the country's eastern region of Donetsk.

The reports on Wednesday quoted a military spokesperson as saying that Ukrainian troops had fulfilled their main task of preventing Russian forces from breaking through the defensive line.

Fierce battles were continuing in the town situated near the Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut.

The Russian defense ministry claimed on January 13 that its troops had captured Soledar.

The British Defence Ministry also said on Wednesday last week that "Ukrainian forces had highly likely withdrawn from the Donbas town of Soledar," and "likely established new defensive lines to the west."