In a significant turn of events in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian forces have reportedly taken complete control of the eastern city of Vuhledar, a location that Ukrainian troops have valiantly defended since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion two and a half years ago. We reached out to the Ukrainian eastern military command, who confirmed that they have directed the remaining troops in Vuhledar to withdraw to avoid encirclement.
The battle for Vuhledar has been intense, with Russian forces keen on securing this strategic position to advance toward critical transportation hubs like Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. Just a day prior, pro-Kremlin military bloggers disseminated videos showing Russian soldiers planting flags on buildings across the city, while local authorities in Donetsk reported that advancing Russian troops were closing in on the city center. Although some accounts suggest that Ukrainian forces are still holding out in certain districts, the overall situation looks grim.
In an exclusive interview, two soldiers from Ukraine’s 72nd Brigade—who managed to escape the city ahead of the final assault—shared their harrowing experiences. They confirmed that their fellow soldiers have indeed pulled back from Vuhledar. One machine-gunner, who chose to remain anonymous, disclosed that Ukrainian troops had to make their escape on foot, as other evacuation options were unavailable. During their attempts to flee, many were injured or killed by Russian drones and artillery fire, according to a soldier named Roman. Several members of their unit remain unaccounted for.
The fight for Vuhledar has intensified markedly, as Moscow has launched multiple efforts to capture the city since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, with varying degrees of success. In a tactical shift from prior approaches that favored direct assaults, the Russian military has begun to employ flanking maneuvers to encircle their target. Recent territorial gains, notably the captures of Prechystivka to the west and Vodyane to the east, have allowed Russian forces to tighten their hold on the region, bolstered by a significant numerical advantage that some Ukrainian soldiers estimate at a ratio of seven to one. This has enabled them to breach Ukrainian defensive lines and move closer to Vuhledar.
