Russian Forces Capture Vuhledar After Months of Fighting

Russian armed forces gained control of the strategic city of Vuhledar in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, following a months-long offensive.

On October 2, Ukraine’s Khortitsa operational-strategic group confirmed that Ukrainian commanders had ordered a withdrawal from Vuhledar to prevent further casualties and protect military equipment.

"The higher command has given permission to carry out a maneuver to withdraw units from Vuhledar for the purpose of preserving personnel and combat equipment," the Ukrainian military stated. This decision was made in response to Russian forces advancing on the flanks of the city, creating a threat of encirclement.

The withdrawal, however, has not been without difficulty. Ukrainian sources have reported that Russian troops had gained fire control over the roads leading out of the city, making the exit challenging for Ukrainian forces.

Vuhledar, known in Russian as Ugledar, has been a key target for the Russian military due to its strategic location and coal mining resources. Before the war, the town had a population of around 14,000, though most residents have since fled. The city has been one of Ukraine's most heavily fortified areas, withstanding multiple Russian attempts to capture it over the past two years. Earlier assaults in 2023 and mid-2024 were unsuccessful, resulting in heavy losses for the Russian side.

On October 3, the Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced the capture of Vuhledar.

The battle, which intensified in late August 2024, saw Russian forces advancing from three sides – south, west, and east – and by late September, Vuhledar was nearly surrounded.

The fall of Vuhledar follows a series of setbacks for Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. In recent months, Ukraine has also lost control of Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Krasnogorovka. Ukrainian troops are still holding onto Toretsk but face mounting pressure, while Russian forces continue to advance towards Pokrovsk and Chasov Yar.

Strategically, Vuhledar's importance goes beyond its coal reserves. Some experts believe the Ukrainian command viewed the city as a potential launchpad for a future offensive aimed at bypassing Donetsk from the south or pushing towards Mariupol. However, others argue that with the shifting frontlines, the city's role as a key stronghold has diminished in recent months.

The capture of Vuhledar may allow Russian forces to better utilize the Donetsk-Mariupol railway, a crucial transport link that could further strengthen their position in the region.