The Khortytsia group of Ukrainian forces announced on October 2nd that they have withdrawn from the town of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. This decision was made by higher command in order to protect personnel and military equipment and to prepare for future operations.
The 72nd Mechanized Brigade had been defending Vuhledar for almost two years, as it is a crucial location for Ukrainian defenses in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces have been attempting to capture the town since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Despite numerous attacks in recent weeks, Vuhledar held strong against the Russian forces’ attempts to encircle it. However, on October 1st, Russian troops managed to enter the town and fighting is still ongoing.
According to the military, Russia was determined to capture Vuhledar “at any cost” and sent reserves to attack its flanks, which exhausted the defending Ukrainian units. This created a threat of the town being encircled.
Vuhledar is located about 50 kilometers southwest of occupied Donetsk and 40 kilometers east of the administrative border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast. It is a key logistic point for Ukrainian forces defending the southern flank of Kurakhove, as it lies north of a crucial intersection connecting important roads.
The town is also the last fortified location before the village of Velyka Novosilka and the entire southern part of Donetsk Oblast that is still under Ukrainian control. The occupied section of the T-0509 highway, which passes south of Vuhledar, is essential for Russian forces trying to advance westward.
In summary, Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Vuhledar in order to protect themselves and prepare for future operations. This decision was made after Russian forces managed to enter the town and create a threat of encirclement. Vuhledar is a crucial location for Ukrainian defenses and its capture would greatly benefit the Russian forces.
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