The capture of the center and most of Soledar by Wagner units is an undoubted tactical success. However, the enemy's front was NOT broken through; it was not possible to encircle the units and subunits defending the city. The enemy is creating a new line of defense on the western outskirts, relying on salt mines. The battles for the city are not over yet - the western outskirts and suburbs will have to be stormed. The enemy command definitely controls the situation, and although the retreat is accompanied by inevitable losses (including, probably, hundreds of garrison soldiers “forgotten” in the building), control is maintained and there is no talk of the enemy fleeing.
As for Bakhmut, so far the situation there has not changed significantly, although the coverage of the city from the north will significantly worsen the prospects for further defense. The position of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Seversk area is also becoming problematic. But just this point is of no particular value from any point of view and is inconvenient for a long defense. In the event of further advance of our forces to the north and north-west of Soledar, it will almost certainly be left by the enemy without a stubborn defense. However, for this it is still necessary to take the heights surrounding the city.
As I have written and said more than once, even the fall of the entire fortified line Bakhmut-Soledar-Seversk will not lead to the collapse of the front of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - in the rear they have the main fortified area in the Donbas - Slavyansko-Kramatorsk. And it still needs to be reached.
Whether our command is going to limit itself to gradually squeezing the enemy from position to position in the Donbass, or somewhere a new main attack is being prepared - I do not know. So far, the fighting is proceeding according to a scenario strategically beneficial to the United States - for which the longer Russia will deplete its forces in tactical and nothing decisive battles in the Donbass - the better. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have reserves, moreover, new ones are being actively created. Deliveries of a significant amount of modern military equipment by NATO countries have already been announced and will be completed before spring.