The Russian army has taken control of the eastern city of Vuhledar, which Ukrainian forces have been defending for the past two and a half years. The Ukrainian military command has confirmed that they have ordered their troops to retreat in order to avoid being surrounded by Russian forces. This city has been a key target for Russia as they try to advance further north and gain control of important transportation hubs.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers have shared videos showing Russian soldiers with flags on rooftops in Vuhledar. According to reports, Russian troops have almost reached the city center, and some Ukrainian soldiers are still fighting in certain districts. However, two soldiers from the 72nd brigade claim that their troops have withdrawn from the city and have taken up new positions in the surrounding area.
The soldiers also shared that many of their comrades were wounded or killed while trying to leave the city on foot, as it was impossible to evacuate them otherwise. Russian drones and artillery targeted anyone trying to leave, causing many casualties. The Russian army has been attempting to seize Vuhledar since the start of their full-scale invasion in February 2022, but their previous attempts were unsuccessful. However, their recent tactic of surrounding the city from the flanks proved to be successful, as they seized nearby villages and cut off the only remaining lifeline route to Vuhledar.
The city’s fate was sealed when Russian troops advanced so close that their artillery and kamikaze drones targeted anyone on the road from Vuhledar to Bohoyavlenka. Despite attempts to send supplies and evacuate wounded soldiers, these operations were unsuccessful due to the close proximity of Russian forces. As a result, only about 100 civilians remain in Vuhledar, out of a pre-war population of 14,000.
The fall of Vuhledar is a significant loss for Ukraine, as it was a key stronghold in the region. The Russian army’s overwhelming advantage in weapons and troops, estimated to be seven to one, enabled them to break through Ukrainian defense lines and take control of the city.