According to the head of the US Department of Defense Lloyd Austin, the department has no confirmation that the Russian military captured Soledar in the Donetsk region

Lloyd Austin said this at a joint press conference with the Ministry of Defense of Japan on the results of the meeting of the U.S.-Japan Security Advisory Committee in Washington.

 "First, let me start with the question you asked about Soledar and whether it has fallen under Russian control. At this point we cannot confirm that report," Lloyd said, answering journalists' questions.

According to him, there was a struggle on the territory of Soledar and "there were really quite fierce battles in the area".

The US Secretary of Defense stressed that he was in regular communication with Oleksii Reznikov and that the United States would continue its support.

Photo: Reuters | Clodagh Kilcoyne