On September 25, 2024, Governor Vadym Filashkin stated on national television that Russian troops have not yet reached the outskirts of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. He reported that sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been coming in, but Ukrainian defenders are successfully pushing them back. This means that the town has not been captured by Russian forces.
Filashkin also mentioned that the 72nd Mechanized Brigade has been defending Vuhledar for almost two years, as Russian forces have been attempting to capture the town since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. He added that Russian forces are currently trying to break through Ukraine’s defense line near Vuhledar and are advancing.
According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Russia has caused significant damage to the town of Vuhledar and is now attempting to advance from the flanks. Vuhledar has been a key location for Ukrainian defenses in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast and has withstood multiple attacks since the start of the war.
Federico Borsari, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), stated that the loss of Vuhledar would not only be a morale blow for Ukraine, but also a serious threat to the security of the entire southwestern portion of Donetsk Oblast. He also mentioned that it could potentially endanger the southern flank of Pokrovsk.
It is estimated that around 100 people are still in Vuhledar, refusing to leave despite the ongoing conflict. The situation in the town remains tense as Russian forces continue to advance in the region.
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