INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian forces pressed further toward encircling the Ukrainian stronghold of Vuhledar in recent days, sparking worries that a key defensive
outpost for Kyiv could soon fall into Russian hands.On Wednesday, British intelligence reported that Russian troops had closed in on
another strategic point in the Donbas, Velyka Novosilka.For nearly six months prior, Russia had been advancing from the east toward the
Vuhledar since the start of the full-scale invasion, first reaching its outskirts of Vuhledar in the spring of 2022
most experienced units, the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, was sent to defend the town
This brigade, which had played a key role in pushing Russian forces out of Kyiv earlier in the war, has now been defending Vuhledar for
corner fortress in the southeastern direction [Donetsk region]
It is a small piece of concrete
There are fields around us, villages around us, and a lake in front of us
reconnaissance soldier of the 72nd Brigade, said in 2023.According to a Ukrainian military officer familiar with the situation on the
ground, the Russians are currently using similar tactics to those employed in early 2023
also moved on Vuhledar using more than 100 pieces of equipment
Vuhledar are now even more intense than those on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk fronts
However, the greater threat to the Ukrainian 72nd Brigade would be if they cut off the highway connecting Vuhledar to Bohoyavlenka, six
kilometers north.If the highway is severed, it could prove disastrous for Ukrainian forces, Kovalenko said
Russian units have already reached a critical crossroads southwest of the city, possibly putting parts of the road under their
Ukrainian garrison out of Vuhledar
Vugledar.Mil.gov.uaAs of Friday, troops have not yet been ordered to withdraw from the semi-encircled city
breakthroughs at Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, Vuhledar remains a critical point where Russian forces have yet to claim significant success.As one
72nd Brigade fighter told me in the area around Vuhledar a few weeks ago, the unit could pose a threat to Russian forces on the southern
I see it as more reasonable to withdraw the garrison after some time
It's purely a question of when the garrison will leave Vuhledar and where exactly they will be moved to
its offensive toward other key logistical hubs in the Donbas such as Velyka Novosilka and Kurakhove
He said he expects the Russians to maintain the pressure without pausing for regrouping, citing their swift tactics following the capture of
Avdiivka.All of the sources interviewed for this article agreed that the rainy season and approaching winter are unlikely to deter Russian
