Colonel Ivan Vinnik, the commander of Ukraine’s 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, currently stationed in the besieged town of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast, has been transferred, as confirmed by the brigade on Sept. 29.
According to Operational Command “North,” Vinnik’s transfer was for the purpose of promotion and to share his combat experience with other units. It has not been announced who will replace him.
Vinnik took command of the 72nd Brigade in August 2022 and has successfully defended Vuhledar for over two years. The town has been a target for Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
In a post on Facebook, Vinnik expressed his gratitude to his team for their loyalty, motivation, and strength throughout their difficult journey together. He also thanked them for their suggestions and joint struggle, and stated that he is honored to be a part of the Black Cossacks.
The reshuffle comes at a critical time as the fighting for Vuhledar continues. The town is located about 50 kilometers southwest of occupied Donetsk and 40 kilometers east of the administrative border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
According to Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin, as of Sept. 25, Russian troops had not reached the outskirts of Vuhledar. However, on Sept. 29, the crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState claimed that Russian troops were attempting to gain a foothold in high-rise buildings on the outskirts of the town. These reports have not been verified by the Kyiv Independent.
Losing Vuhledar would not only be a morale blow for Ukraine, as the town has withstood numerous assaults since 2022, but it could also pose a serious threat to the security of the entire southwestern portion of Donetsk Oblast, which is still under Ukrainian control. It could also endanger the southern flank of Pokrovsk, according to Federico Borsari, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
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