Russia captures key town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine

This Russian military advance has shown Russia's huge superiority in numbers and firepower, while Ukraine is still begging for more weapons from its Western allies.

Ukraine's eastern military command said it had ordered a withdrawal of troops from the hilltop coal-mining town to avoid being surrounded by Russian troops and "protect military personnel and equipment".

Months of fighting have left the town largely abandoned and in ruins. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

The Russian Defense Ministry did not mention Vuhledar in its daily battlefield report. However, Russian Telegram channels published videos showing troops waving Russian flags over ruined buildings.

The town, which had a pre-war population of more than 14,000, was devastated, with Soviet-era apartment buildings damaged. The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper said the last Ukrainian forces from the 72nd Mechanized Brigade left the town late on Tuesday.

Russian forces are still advancing westward at key points along a 150km frontline in the Donetsk region, with the logistics hub of Pokrovsk also a key next target.

They captured Ukrainsk on 17 September and then began besieging Vuhledar, about 80 km south of Pokrovsk.

Russia has used a pincer tactic to encircle and then squeeze Ukraine’s defenses. Images from the area show the town being heavily shelled and bombed overhead.

Control of Vuhledar, which lies at the crossroads of the eastern and southern battlefields, is important because it would make it easier for Russia to advance behind Ukraine’s defenses. Vuhledar is also near the railway line that connects Crimea to the Donbas region.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia's main tactical goal is to control the entire Donbas region - including Donetsk and Luhansk provinces - in southeastern Ukraine. Russian forces currently control 98.5% of the Luhansk region and 60% of the Donetsk region.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, AJ, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-chiem-duoc-thi-tran-quan-trong-vuhledar-o-mien-dong-ukraine-post315002.html