Russian forces have fully captured the strategic eastern city of Vuhledar, which Ukrainian troops have been defending since the onset of Moscow’s large-scale invasion over two and a half years ago.
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s eastern military command confirmed they had ordered remaining forces in parts of Vuhledar to withdraw to avoid encirclement.
For more than two years, Russia has sought control of the city to push further north toward key transportation hubs like Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers shared videos a day earlier showing Russian troops raising flags atop various buildings in Vuhledar.
The BBC interviewed two soldiers from the 72nd Brigade who managed to escape the city before the final assault and reposition themselves nearby. They confirmed that Ukrainian forces have pulled out of Vuhledar.
In recent days, Ukrainian soldiers were forced to flee on foot, as evacuation by other means was impossible, according to an anonymous machine-gunner.
Many soldiers were wounded or killed by Russian drone strikes and artillery as they attempted to leave, another soldier named Roman reported. Many others remain unaccounted for.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Moscow has made several attempts to capture Vuhledar, all of which failed until now. One of the largest tank battles of the war took place there last year.
Rather than launching direct assaults, the Russian military recently shifted to its preferred tactic of advancing along the flanks to encircle the target. Last month, they captured the villages of Prechystivka to the west and Vodyane to the east, completing a pincer movement.
Russia’s overwhelming advantage in weapons and manpower—some Ukrainian soldiers estimate a force ratio of seven to one—allowed them to breach Ukrainian defensive lines on the flanks and close in on Vuhledar.
