Russian troops have gained full control of the eastern city of Vuhledar, a site of fierce defense by Ukrainian forces since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion two and a half years ago. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s eastern military command confirmed that they ordered remaining troops in Vuhledar to pull back to avoid encirclement.
For over two years, Russia has aimed to capture Vuhledar to facilitate further advances northward toward key transportation hubs like Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. Pro-Kremlin military bloggers shared videos showing Russian soldiers hoisting flags atop buildings in the city. Reports from Donetsk regional authorities indicated that Russian troops had nearly reached the city center, though some Ukrainian forces continue to hold out in various districts.
The BBC interviewed two soldiers from Ukraine’s 72nd brigade who successfully evacuated the city before the final assault and have since repositioned in the area. They revealed that many Ukrainian soldiers had to find their own way out of Vuhledar on foot, as evacuation by vehicle was impossible due to Russian fire. Many soldiers were injured or killed by Russian drones and artillery during their attempts to escape, with additional soldiers still reported missing.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Moscow has made multiple attempts to seize Vuhledar, all of which had previously failed. Last month, the Russian army shifted tactics, opting for flanking maneuvers to encircle their target. Following the capture of Prechystivka to the west and Vodyane to the east, Russian forces were able to complete a pincer movement, overwhelming Ukrainian defenses with a significant advantage in personnel and weaponry—some estimates suggest a force ratio of seven to one.